Govt urged to undo PECA tweaks

The Sindh High Court noted that petitions against recent amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) should be heard by the court’s Constitutional Bench, while a consultative meeting of lawyers and journalists urged the federal government to immediately repeal the latest changes to cybercrime laws.

The meeting rejected the Peca amendments, calling them unconstitutional and a violation of Article 19, which guarantees freedom of speech. Participants argued that the law also contradicts international agreements like the ICCPR, to which Pakistan is a signatory. They pointed out that vague terms like “false” and “fake” lack clear definitions, creating legal loopholes that could be misused. The provision allowing multiple FIRs for a single incident was also criticized.

The gathering reaffirmed the media’s role as the fourth pillar of the state and condemned increasing censorship, particularly in digital spaces. It urged that laws on cybercrime and media regulation align with democratic norms and international commitments.

SCBA members, including President Mian Muhammad Rauf Atta, senior lawyers, and prominent journalists such as Hamid Mir and Mazhar Abbas, attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, the Sindh High Court (SHC) took up petitions challenging the Peca amendments. A two-judge bench, led by acting Chief Justice Mohammad Junaid Ghaffar, observed that such cases should be handled by a constitutional bench. Petitioners argued that the amendments suppress press freedom and violate fundamental rights. The court has granted the government more time to respond to the petitions.