LAHORE: The Opposition in Punjab Assembly strongly protested against the Defamation Bill 2024 and termed it as the killer of freedoms of speech and expression.

The Opposition members led by the Opposition Leader Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar chanted slogans against the bill and said that they would not accept this black law.

They also displayed on their seats placards against the bill during the assembly session, which started with a delay of 2 hours and 24 minutes.

The Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Mohammad Ahmed Khan adjourned the session for five minutes due to the opposition’s pandemonium.

He advised the members to put the house in order first then he would commence the session.

Upon turning off the mikes, the opposition MPAs raised slogans against the government.

Earlier in the day, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Mohammad Ahmad Khan and Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari held a three-hour long discussion with the representatives of journalists’ organisations on the Defamation Bill 2024.

The journalists’ bodies expressed their concern and reservations about the bill and demanded the postponement the bill for further review and proposals as a few organisations have submitted their suggestions whereas the rest stakeholders are yet to render their feedbacks.

They pointed out the confusion between the National and Punjab assemblies’ legislation, which needs to be removed.

The Punjab Advocate General and the information minister briefed the representatives about the bill. The Punjab Assembly speaker assured them of entertaining the journalists’ proposals.

The journalists’ organisations including CPNE, APNS, AMEND, Lahore Press Club, PFUJ attended the meeting. They also met Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar.

Bhachar assured them of their full support for their demands regarding the defamation bill.

He said that they would not tolerate any ban on freedom of expression, adding that the Opposition would stand by the journalists.

He told the delegations that they had also submitted fifteen amendments to the defamation bill.