Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar addresses a press conference in Islamabad on March 28, 2024. PHOTO: PID
ISLAMABAD:
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Tuesday urged media organizations and online commentators to exercise caution when discussing Pakistan’s foreign policy amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, warning that certain analyzes had caused “unease” among friendly countries.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and Interior Minister Talal Chaudry, the minister said comments from Pakistan had prompted diplomatic inquiries from abroad as to whether such views represented official policy or personal opinion.
Tarar emphasized the need for restraint in discussions across social media, electronic media and print platforms. “As a nation, we must remember that when we express our views, we must keep the constitution and the foreign policy of Pakistan under consideration,” he said.
He added that certain comments by Pakistan had raised concerns among diplomatic partners.
“We have been asked whether this was Pakistan’s position or an individual position,” he said, noting that such reactions had come from “at least a friendly country or some other corner”.
At the beginning of the press conference, the Law Minister reiterated Pakistan’s official position on the crisis in the Middle East and stated that the country continued to support diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.
He emphasized that the narratives coming from both media and social media should reflect caution given the sensitivity of the situation.
“Pakistan is a responsible state and a nuclear state. Pakistan has a significant role in the region; it has its own identity and its own stance in terms of its defense and foreign policy,” the minister said.
Article 19
Tarar also referred to the constitution’s Article 19, which guarantees freedom of expression, while reminding journalists and commentators that the right has legal limits.
“You have the fundamental right to freedom of expression, but you must be careful when it comes to the glory of Islam, the integrity, security and defense of Pakistan or any part thereof, and friendly relations with foreign states.”
He said that while citizens had the right to express opinions, those views must remain within constitutional bounds.
“As far as Pakistan’s foreign policy and its relationship with the Gulf is concerned […] we cannot speculate if Pakistan is with Iran, what it might mean for its relationship with Saudi Arabia [ ] or if we are with the UAE, what does that mean for our relationship with Saudi Arabia.”
“Leave it to the state to decide,” the minister said, urging the public to have “faith” in the state’s decisions.
He reiterated that “such analysis must be done with the utmost caution,” adding that some types of discussion did not fall within the scope of protected speech.
The minister also noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had held several phone calls with regional counterparts in recent days as part of diplomatic efforts.
Pakistan, he said, intended to “play its role” along with “brotherly countries to resolve the tensions”.
He once again urged media professionals to “look at the extent to which the constitution allowed one to talk about Pakistan’s foreign policy”.
‘Responsible journalism’
Information Minister Ataullah Tarar also warned against sensationalism, especially from online commentators and digital content creators.
“Pakistan has its foreign policy and it maintains a balance in the relations we share with our respective Muslim countries,” he said.
He advised commentators not to undermine the country’s diplomatic position by offering speculative interpretations.
He added that foreign policy issues should not be viewed through the same lens as domestic policy debates.
Asked whether a particular vlog had raised concerns about Pakistan’s diplomatic relations, the law minister said: “No relationship has been affected and it will not be”.
“We only have to exercise caution given the sensitivity of the situation,” he added, stressing that the country needed “responsible journalism.”
