(Disclaimer: this is a work of fiction. Learn to take a joke; you’ll live longer.)
In a brazen clampdown on the freedom of speech not just for parliamentarians but also news media, use of the word “ “ has been banned by the Speaker of the National Assembly and certain other institutions.
“This is a direct attack on our freedoms,” said former information minister and sitting PML(N) MNA Mariyum Aurangzeb. “Who will stop me? I will say it as many times as I want, ! ! !”
“I think we can all agree that the government is acting a little childish here,” said Shazia Marri of the PPP. “It’s just a word and they’ve said far worse while insisting on staying out of the parliament despite not drawing salaries.”
The practice of banning the word being telecast or printed, however, is the most recent ramping up of the clampdown against the word.
“Yes, even the media being stopped from using the word is condemnable,” said ANP leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain. “But do keep in mind that theoretically, the ban on the word in parliament is even worse. That is supposed to be the freest space of expression in the country. Everything else follows that.”
Manzoor Ahmed , leader of the , said that he has been pointing out this situation all along, except it is more noticeable for all to see now.
“ ,” he said. “
.”
“ ,” he concluded.
