Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders have voiced strong opposition to the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill, arguing that it threatens fundamental civil rights and sets a harmful precedent for surveillance and government control.
Opposition leader Omar Ayub expressed concerns that the bill could be used to target individuals advocating for constitutional rights. He criticized the government for ignoring key opposition reservations, highlighting PTI’s ongoing protests against the bill in parliament.
The bill, which grants authorities broad access to citizens’ data, has been denounced by PTI members as a tool for suppressing dissent under the guise of regulation. Ayub described it as an infringement on citizensβ constitutional rights.
Barrister Gohar also criticized the rushed passage of several laws, noting that some were passed in less than 10 minutes during a mere 88 parliamentary sessions last year. He called this the fastest legislative process in history.
PTI leaders raised additional concerns about alleged judicial pressures and the mistreatment of detained party workers. Ayub mentioned the government’s unfulfilled promise to facilitate a meeting with PTI’s founder, and reiterated the party’s demand for an impartial commission to oversee key matters.
Aamir Dogar highlighted the inhumane conditions in which 700 detainees were recently transported, while Ali Muhammad Khan criticized the judiciary for issuing politically motivated verdicts, citing the controversial sentencing of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The growing controversy surrounding the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill, combined with accusations of judicial bias and poor governance, has exacerbated political tensions, with PTI leaders urging for greater transparency and constitutional protection.
