(PPF/IFEX) – The Punjab government has cancelled the declaration, or publication licence, of the quarterly newsletter of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP). The newsletter focuses on human rights violations as well other issues related to human rights, such as judgements in court cases, as well as the activities of the HRCP in areas […]
(PPF/IFEX) – The Punjab government has cancelled the declaration, or
publication licence, of the quarterly newsletter of the Human Rights
Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).
The newsletter focuses on human rights violations as well other issues
related to human rights, such as judgements in court cases, as well as the
activities of the HRCP in areas such as bonded labour, women’s rights,
rights of prisoners, etc.
Three minor technical reasons were given for the cancellation of the
newsletter’s declaration: the HRCP did not inform the provincial
government’s Information Department of its change of address and printer,
nor did it send the department two copies of the newsletter, as required
under the terms of the declaration.
According to an HRCP official, the requirement to inform the government of
any change of address and other minor changes was only necessary under the
now annulled Press and Publication Ordinance of 1963. After the repeal of
the Press and Publication Ordinance, they felt that such requirements no
longer existed.
The Registration of Printing Presses and Publications Ordinance (1989), the
successor to the Press and Publications Ordinance, was also allowed to lapse
in 1997. There is now considerable confusion on matters relating to the
registration of publications.
