Panel to liaise with journalists on PECA law
LAHORE/ISLAMABAD:
The National Assembly's Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting has decided to form a sub-committee to address concerns of the journalists regarding the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
The decision was announced during a committee meeting chaired by MNA Pullain Baloch.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Atta Tarar said the Act is solely intended to regulate digital media and would not impact newspapers or television channels, as they are already governed by existing regulations.
Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has admitted for hearing another petition filed by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) against some recent amendments to the country's cybercrime lawthe Prevention of Electronic Crime Act (PECA), 2016.
The journalistic organization — the PFUJhas also approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the "draconian" amendments bulldozed through parliament last week.
LHC's Justice Farooq Haider on Thursday took up the petition for hearing and later issued notices to various respondents including the federal government.
The petition argued that the PECA (Amendment) Act, 2025 was passed after suspending the National Assembly rules. It said the bill was introduced without consultation with journalistic organizations and will severely impact the freedom of expression granted by the Constitution.
In its petition filed in the IHC through Advocate Imran Shafiq on Thursday, the PFUJ claims that the PECA (Amendment) Act, 2025 is an attack on press freedom.
It says that the amendment is unconstitutional and illegal, requiring judicial review.
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