Karachi :- June 6, 2011. (PCP) The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the recently inserted the Rule 46 in the rules of the business of by the Punjab government and termed it suppressing the truth and demanded it immediate withdrawal. Sharply reacting over the Punjab Government decisions to impose restrictions on media persons for acquiring information from the government functionaries the PFUJ said that it exposed the its truce face before the public. It pointed out that “contrary to claims by the Punjab Government that it believes in freedom of the Press and access to Information, a ban has been imposed on all government officials from interacting with media under the garb of “Protection and communication of Official Information”. The PFUJ further pointed out that as per media reports Punjab Government Rules of Business 2011, which were recently circulated among all provincial departments said that “Protection and communication of Official”; - (1) A Government servant shall not communicate any information acquired directly or indirectly from official document or otherwise to the Media, to non officials, or to officials belonging to other government offices, unless he has been, generally or specially, empowered to do so.” (2) The Chief Secretary shall issue detailed instructions about treatment and custody of official documents and information of a confidential character. (3) Ordinarily, all official news and information shall be conveyed to media through the Information, Culture and Youth Affairs Department, in the manner, generally or specially, prescribed by the Department. (4) The Ministers, Secretaries and such other officers as may be authorized shall act as official spokesmen of the Government”. The PFUJ revealed that in consequences of the circulation of the above rules of business, various government departments had refused meeting with media persons, sharing information including official information particularly in the home, police, health, irrigation, revenue, and all departments comes under the Service and General Administration Department. The government through other circular enforced restrictions on government officials from any interaction with the media under Rule 46. The all departmental heads and secretaries were asked to ensure that their employees avoid talking to media persons unless asked by the highest authority. Breach of discipline will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the rules.” The PFUJ regretted that following the instructions, none of the persons in the Chief Minister Secretariat and provincial Service and General Administration Department was willing to share information about the foreign visits of the Punjab Chief Minister, details of MoUs, expenses thereon and approval of the federal government for such visits. The PFUJ contended that termed Rule 46 of the Rules of the Business as ultra vires, arbitrary and against the spirit of the Constitution adding that no rule can supersede rights guaranteed under the Constitution. Continuing, the PFUJ said that although under Article 19 of the 1973 Constitution it was laid down that “every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable retractions imposed by law in the interest of glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defense of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, a decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, commission or incitement to an offence”. Likewise, as per recently adopted 18th Constitutional Amendment in the Constitution a new article 19-A has been inserted in the Constitution which mainly says “Every citizen shall have the right to have access to information in all matters of public importance subject to regulation and reasonable restrictions imposed by law.” Similarly, Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, too guarantee that “everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; that this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media” The PFUJ appealed to the civil society, lawyers, bar associations, human rights organisations, political parties to take notice of this anti media move of the Punjab government and demand of the government to scrap this rule as it is tantamount to suppressing the truth and snatching the right to know of the citizens. “If the government has not withdrawn the rule 46 of the Rules of Business by the Punjab government, we will agitate this issue before the roads as well before superior courts for the protection of the right to know of the citizens and freedom of press”. PFUJ added.