[Current Affairs] August 10,2020 Top Pakistan Current Affairs for PPSC Test Preparation

What’s going on? Have you ever gone to class hoping the teacher doesn’t call on you because you haven’t done all the reading? No one is judging you, most of us have been there. Similarly, Punjab legislators are backtracking on a bill they voted for, because they reportedly didn’t read the full document before voting.

The details: Punjab Assembly members unanimously passed the Tahaffuz Bunyad-i-Islam (i.e. protect the foundation of Islam) bill two weeks ago. The bill basically prohibits the printing and publishing of material considered ‘objectionable.’

Here is what the term ‘objectionable’ entails: 

• Whoever desecrates, 1) any prophet, 2) any of the four divine books, or 3) the family and companions of Islam’s Prophet, will get a five-year jail term, and a PKR 500,000 fine. The same punishment applies to those who glorify terrorists and promote sectarianism.
• Any book or material that has pictures of suicide bombers or terrorists, unless law enforcement agencies need this content.

Under the law, the Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR) has the power to:

• Inspect any printing press, publishing house, or bookstore.
• Block the import, printing or publishing of a book that is “prejudicial to national interest, culture, religious and sectarian harmony.”
• Confiscate books with objectionable content before or after printing.

Tell me more: The bill received widespread criticism for fueling hatred against minorities, increasing state censorship, and attacking intellectual independence.

Looking ahead: The same lawmakers who passed the bill are now saying ‘wait a second.’ They apparently didn’t know what they were voting for, and claimed they were “kept in the dark” when the document was put to vote. Now, they want to recall the bill and review it with a committee of clerics.

The bottom line: Punjab’s law minister called out lawmakers for not being prepared, saying it was their job to thoroughly read each bill before voting for or against it.