Senator Faisal Javed on Monday directed the Federal Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to compile Prime Minister Imran Khan's speeches since he assumed office in August 2018 and publish a booklet, reported Aaj News.

Javed issued the directions during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, a panel he heads.

Criticising the chairperson's direction, Pakistan People Party Senator Moula Bux Chandio said the speeches should be immediately published as the federal government had limited time to rule over the country. "The speeches of the prime minister and president are being published in a booklet but are they worth publishing?" he asked rhetorically.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting secretary assured the chairperson that a letter would be written to the press section today, requesting data related to the prime minister's speeches.

Members of the panel also discussed amendments in the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016 with the chairperson saying the relevant ministry would decide after consulting with stakeholders. "Reservations of media's representatives should be listened to and their suggestions should be taken into consideration as the information ministry can not bulldoze everything."

However, Javed emphasised that measures against fake news were necessary.

At this Chandio noted if the relevant stakeholders were consulted before the ordinance was promulgated it would have prevented the prevailing situation.

Multiple petitions in the Islamabad High Court against the Prevention of Electronic (Amendment) Ordinance, 2022 were being heard wherein the additional powers granted to the Federal Investigation Authority related to the freedom of expression had been challenged.

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Meanwhile, Senator Javed assured the members that the situation was okay and it would remain so during the next week.

During the meeting, the information secretary noted that the ordinance was related to the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication. However, the chairperson rebuked the secretary, saying the relevant ministry could not be absolved itself from the responsibility.

The secretary then assured that the ministry's point of view would be presented during the next meeting of the panel.