Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Political Leaders Criticize PICA Act and Government Actions

Islamabad:Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the leader of the Awami Pakistan Party, has strongly criticized the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PICA), claiming that it is an attempt to stifle freedoms. In a statement, Abbasi expressed concern that countries that shut down the internet cannot expect progress. He added that through PICA, an effort is being made to curtail basic freedoms, and emphasized that the alliance between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is driven by mutual interests.

Meanwhile, in London, former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, during a press conference, clarified that overseas Pakistanis had not stopped sending money to Pakistan despite the appeal of PTI’s founder. He pointed out that while inflation in Pakistan has decreased, the cost of living continues to rise. Ismail also criticized Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, stating that he is only focused on preserving his own position.

Additionally, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the head of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, condemned the PICA Act, highlighting its severe penalties, which include three years of imprisonment and a fine of 600,000 rupees. He questioned what punishment would be imposed for the alleged “theft” of the people’s mandate.