PPP’s Sherry Rehman slams govt’s proposed PMDA bill

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman on Tuesday slammed the government’s proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA) and called it another attempt of the PTI government to stifle freedom of expression.

“Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA) is yet another example of this government’s crackdown on freedom of expression,” said PPP’s Senate parliamentary leader in a statement.

The former information minister said that the state of media and press freedom in Pakistan is already in shambles, adding that through this authority the government now wants to control the media. She said that the development of the authority was “unconstitutional and a violation of Article 19 and 19A”.

“The fact that they kept the final draft of the PMDA law and the entire drafting process secret, raises many questions about their intentions. The government clearly wants broad powers so that they can control the narrative and muzzle criticism. Instead of protecting media freedom, they are bringing back the draconian laws of Zia era,” said the senator.

The PPP leader also questioned why the government had moved the bill in the cabinet when it was opposed by all concerned parties. She added that the Imran Khan-led government should have consulted with the “key stakeholders” on the bill.

“Why is the Information Ministry not working towards creating a more fair and independent media in Pakistan?” asked Rehman.