ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the registration of cases against four women journalists under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca).

The cases against the four members of the National Press Club (NPC) have been lodged by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on a complaint lodged by another member of the NPC.

The four journalists are Nayyar Ali, Sehrish Qureshi, Maira Imran, and Shakeela Jalil.

They were part of a committee established to look into a complaint by one of them against her former husband, who is also a member of the NPC.

After the committee ruled that both the members were guilty of misconduct, the husband approached the FIA and a case was registered against members of the committee.

The complainant alleged that he was being harassed by his former wife on social media sites and the NPC members were `facilitating`her.

The PFUJ has been criticising Peca on the grounds that it could be used as a tool to pressure the media and stifle free speech.

It said the FIA`s action was executed without providing the four journalists a chance for explanation an example of the misuse of `this black law` (Peca) against journalists for looking into a harassment case.

Registering a case against women journalists for hearing and addressing the complaint by one female member against her husband, is gross misuse of power by the FIA.

Afzal Butt, the PFUJ president, and Arshad Ansari, its general secretary, expressed solidarity with the affected journalists and called for dismissal of the case.

`The PFUJ demands that the prime minister and the interior minister take swift action to dismiss the case registered against the senior women journalists.

`We also demand action against the officials and the applicant who illegally registered the case, which amounts to harassment and intimidation of journalists,` a statement said.

`The PFUJ reiterates its call for the repeal of Peca, which has been widely criticised for its potential to curb freedom of expression and muzzle independent voices.

`The PFUJ leadership warns that failure to meet these demands will lead to strong protests across the country. Journalists will continue to resist attempts to undermine their rights and freedom.`-Kalbe Ali