On Friday, media bodies strongly condemned the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for arresting Farhan Mallick under the recently amended and controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca).
Earlier this week, the FIA arrested the journalist for allegedly violating Peca and broadcasting “anti-state” content on his YouTube channel. Today, a judicial magistrate in Karachi granted the investigation agency a four-day physical remand of the journalist.
The government recently amended the contentious Peca law, sparking protests from journalist bodies across the country. They have condemned the law as an attempt to stifle free speech and intimidate journalists and media outlets.
In a statement, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned the FIA for arresting Mallick. The PFUJ criticized the arrest as a “blatant attempt” to suppress free speech and intimidate journalists who challenge those in power.
PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Secretary-General Arshad Ansari, in a joint statement, demanded authorities immediately and unconditionally release Mallick and conduct a transparent investigation into the circumstances of his arrest.
"It is imperative that the government reins in agencies like the FIA, which have a history of overstepping their authority and suppressing dissenting voices," read the statement.
The PFUJ stressed that the Constitution's Article 19 guarantees freedom of expression and called on the government to uphold this fundamental right.
The PFUJ leadership urged authorities to uphold democratic principles and safeguard press freedom, warning that the international community is closely monitoring the situation.
Similarly, the Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) condemned Mallick's arrest, calling the FIA's action malicious.
In a statement, AEMEND criticized the FIR against the journalist, describing it as vague, unclear, and baseless. The media body accused the authorities of using the FIR to harass and silence dissenting voices.
“We have already made it clear that the Peca amendment bill would be used against the journalists,” read the statement.
The media body urged the federal government, interior minister, and DG FIA to investigate such cases, which tarnish the country's and institutions' reputation.
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