Federal Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb tabled the PEMRA (amendment) bill 2023 – which she had withdrawn two days ago – once again in the Senate and the upper house of Parliament promptly approved it on Wednesday.

The development came after journalists became divided on the issue with one group supporting the bill. This group stage a walkout of Parliament on Wednesday to protest the government’s decision to withdraw the bill.

Speaking to journalists, the minister announced that she was going to table the bill again later in the day, which she did a short while later.

Senate discussed the bill briefly and then passed it ignoring opposition demands that it be sent to the committee for deliberations.

Earlier, journalists walked out of the National Assembly to protest the withdrawal of the bill, which requires media houses to ensure that salaries are not delayed beyond two months.

Govt withdraws PEMRA Amendment bill after journalists fraternity’s protest

Journalists walk out from NA over PEMRA bill withdrawal

While one group of journalists believes that the bill allowed media houses to delay salaries for two months and placed curbed on journalism, the other group has seen it as a ray of hope.

More to follow….