The two major opposition parties – PPP and PML-N – of the country on Sunday berated the government for a move to regulate social media and apparently suppressing dissent by making defamation a punishable offence.

The reaction came after Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry’s tweet on Saturday. “Two key laws have been sent to the federal cabinet for approval. The first is to allow parliamentarians to participate in election campaigns, while the second is to make it a punishable offence to insult the dignity of the people on social media. To be done in a month,” it read.

In the past, the government has also received criticism for its efforts to regulate media with authority and measures to overcome criticism. It is pertinent to mention that Prime Minister Imran Khan in his media talks has extended his support for criticism and termed it important for democracy.

PPP leader Sherry Rehman in a series of tweets alleged that in its bid to shut down dissent even further, the government was using another presidential ordinance to amend cybercrime laws that would be sweeping and draconian in scope.

“Make no mistake, this is not about protecting the vulnerable from cyber predations; quite the opposite,” she said.

The PPP senator went on to say that the incumbent government has prorogued parliament to pass a slew of presidential ordinances that would apparently give their ministers the unprecedented ability to misuse state resources for campaigning for elections while in office. “LB polls jolt. Shows how far gone they are in their fear of the people,” it read.

PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal also took a jibe at the government’s move. “The way to avoid criticism by resorting to law is like a raw thread - the real and sure way to avoid criticism is to avoid critical actions - good deeds are praised and wrong deeds are criticised,” it read.

According to media reports, such a reaction from the government has also come in the past when it was criticised for its “policies” on social media. This time, the development comes in the wake of a malicious campaign on social media against the first lady and the use of derogatory remarks for Communications Minister Murad Saeed on a TV show. The federal minister got first place among the 10 best performing federal ministries at a ceremony.

The show’s clip, which went viral on social media, led to a severe response from the people and led to the channel being off the air. Moreover, the government also arrested a PML-N worker on allegations of running a malicious campaign against First Lady Bushra Bibi.