Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar addressing a press conference in Islamabad on March 28, 2024. PHOTO: PID
ISLAMABAD:
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Tuesday urged media organisations and online commentators to exercise caution when discussing Pakistan’s foreign policy amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, warning that certain analyses had caused “unease” among friendly countries.
Speaking at a news conference alongside Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudry, the minister said commentary emerging from Pakistan had prompted diplomatic queries from abroad about whether such views represented official policy or personal opinion.
Tarar stressed the need for restraint in discussions across social media, electronic media and print platforms. “As a nation, we must keep in mind that when expressing our views, we have to keep the constitution and Pakistan’s foreign policy under consideration,” he said.
He added that certain commentary from Pakistan had raised concerns among diplomatic partners.
“We have been asked if this was Pakistan’s stance or an individual one,” he said, noting that such reactions had come from “at least a friendly country or some other corner”.
At the outset of the press conference, the law minister reiterated Pakistan’s official position on the Middle East crisis, stating that the country continued to support diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflict.
He stressed that the narratives emerging 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 an essential role in the region; it has its own identity and its own stance in terms of its defence and foreign policy,” the minister said.
Article 19
Tarar also referred to Article 19 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression, while reminding journalists and commentators that the right carries 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 defence 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 boundaries.
“As far as Pakistan’s foreign policy is concerned and its relations with the Gulf […] we cannot speculate if Pakistan is with Iran, then what could it mean for its relations with Saudi Arabia [ ] or if we are with the UAE, then what does that mean for our relations with Saudi Arabia.”
“Leave that to the state to decide,” the minister said, urging the public to have “faith” in the state’s decisions.
He reiterated that “such analyses must be made with utmost caution”, adding that some forms 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 part” alongside “brotherly countries to resolve tensions”.
He once again urged media professionals to “look at the extent to which the Constitution allowed one to speak on Pakistan’s foreign policy”.
‘Responsible journalism’
Information Minister Ataullah Tarar also cautioned against sensationalism, particularly by online commentators and digital content creators.
“Pakistan has its foreign policy, and it maintains a balance in terms of 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 political debates.
On being asked whether a particular vlog had caused concern for Pakistan’s diplomatic ties, the law minister said, “No relation has been impacted, and neither will it”.
“We only have to exercise caution considering the sensitivity of the situation,” he added, stressing that the country needed “responsible journalism”.
