22/05/2024
After the independence in 1947, the first thing the ruling elite did was set in stone the tyrannical feudalistic politics they were used to before it, following in the footsteps of the oppressive colonial rulers. Therefore, the laws that had been governing the press in the pre-independence era found their way into the body politics of the newly independent and sovereign country. All the colonial era media laws used to control or gag the press were retained and since then 95% of the press-related legislations passed post-independence have been, "anti-freedom of the press and expression."
Thus, in the past 76 years, successive governments, whether civilian or military introduced the "laws that chain the media" and there are hardly any exceptions. However, the governments having the worst track record in terms of imposing "gag laws" are undoubtedly led by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) — the party that has come to power for the fifth time.
#1947