Press Council of Pakistan (PCP) has asked political parties contesting elections to sign a declaration to support freedom of expression and not to interfere in the free functioning of the press during polls. A declaration form in this regard has been sent to political parties to be signed by their leaders or representative to reiterate their pledge to uphold to values of freely operating media during polls.
The points referred to in declaration form include. 1. Political parties will respect freedom of information and expression as guaranteed by article 19-A of the constitution of Pakistan. 2. All political parties will support and assist in the free functioning of independent press during polls.
3. All political parties shall declare that no member of any political party or their activist or their supporter will pressurize, intimidate or harass any media person/ media house for political favour during coverage of elections. 4. Representatives of political parties should also earnestly declared that their members, activist and supporters and transparently.
PCP believes that "Holding Elections" fairly, "Contesting Election" democratically and "Reporting Elections" transparently and responsibly by free media all go side by side towards a common goal that is free and fair elections. PCP is of the view that all these stakeholders of free and fair elections expect fairness on each other's part so each of them should also recognised others mandate and rights.-PR