Below is a joint statement by women journalists and commentators in Pakistan against online abuse and trolling by government officials and Twitter accounts which declare their affiliation to the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. #AttacksWontSilenceUs
Last July, Shireen Mazari, the minister for human rights, promised to take notice of threats against journalists and to address the climate of abuse, bullying, fear and censorship.
In what is certainly a well-defined and coordinated campaign, personal details of women journalists and analysts have been made public.
To further discredit, frighten and intimidate us, we are referred to as peddlers of “fake news”, “enemy of the people”. #AttacksWontSilenceUs
We also call upon the Standing Committees on Human Rights of the upper and lower house to take notice and hold the government accountable by ensuring they acknowledge and list the actions they will now take to put an end to the threatening environment. #AttacksWontSilenceUs
The target of online attacks are women with differing viewpoints and those whose reports have been critical of the PTI government, and more specifically its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
When attacks and threats are made against us, we do not enjoy the protection of the law as guaranteed under Article 4, and this is the direct result of the actions of those who hold positions in government and are affiliated with the PTI.
The Christian community of Jaranwala returns to their neighbourhood to find their homes ransacked and gutted.
“What the mob could not steal they burned to the ground,” said one woman.
“It took us 20 years to build this home. In one day they [the mob] sent us back 20 years,” said a man, whose home was burnt, “We can never rebuild our lives again.”
“They tore the Bibles and broke everything else in our Church,” said a young man.
Key takeaways from the Election (Amendment) Bill 2023. Thread:
Definition of “assets” tweaked. Now includes property owned by candidates and "spouses and dependent children".
Definition of “technocrat” also tweaked. Now a technocrat must have at least 20 years of experience at international and national level “post qualification”.
Bill 2023 states that if the presiding officer, due to connectivity issues, cannot send the results electronically, he/she shall proceed physically with the results to the Returning Officer.
Funds amounting to $2,121,500 were transferred from a Dubai-based company by Arif Naqvi into PTI’s account.
The PTI “knowingly received donations from a company which was being operated by a business tycoon who was involved in criminal fraud,” states the ECP.
Regarding the funds from Arif Naqvi, the ECP further states that it gave the PTI“ample time”, from 2018 to 2021, to make a disclosure.