ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Following the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), the Anchors Association has also challenged the amendment to the PECA Act in the Islamabad High Court.
Senior anchors Hamid Mir, Naseem Zahra, Adnan Haider, and Amir Abbas have filed the petition, with biometric verification completed. The petition was filed through Islamabad High Court Bar President, State Ali Azad, and Advocate Imran Shafiq. In the petition filed by senior anchors, they have requested the court to declare the amendment to the PECA Act as null and void.
Meanwhile, on February 7, the Sindh High Court heard the case and sought further arguments on whether the petition against the PECA Amendment Act 2025 is admissible. The petitioner’s lawyer argued that the petition challenges two sections of the PECA Amendment Act 2025—sections 2R and 26A.
Earlier, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists had also challenged the PECA Amendment Act 2025 in the Islamabad High Court. In the petition, it was argued that the PECA Amendment Act is unconstitutional and illegal, and it constitutes an attack on press freedom. Previously, on February 4, amendments to the PECA Act were also challenged in the Supreme Court and Sindh High Court.
It is worth noting that two weeks ago, the National Assembly approved the PECA Amendment Bill 2025 by a majority vote, and it was later approved by the Senate. After approval from both houses, the PECA Act was enacted with the President’s signature.
Yesterday, in response to protests and strong reactions from journalist organizations, the Standing Committee has decided to form a subcommittee to address concerns regarding the PECA Act, in collaboration with journalists.
According to media, a meeting of the Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting was held, where it was decided to bring both the government and journalists together to resolve issues related to the amendment of the PECA Act.
The National Assembly’s Standing Committee also decided to form a subcommittee on the PECA Act. Committee Chairman, Pauline Baloch, stated that the subcommittee would address the concerns regarding the act.
The Minister for Information and Broadcasting mentioned that with the formation of the Digital Media Regulatory Authority, digital media would now be regulated. He clarified that the PECA Act is meant to regulate digital media only, and it does not affect newspapers and TV channels, which are already regulated.
He added that anyone earning millions from digital media should contribute to the government of Pakistan. A journalist from the Press Club will be part of the Digital Rights Tribunal and the Council of Complaints. The demand for TV channels and newspapers will increase due to the PECA law.
Ata Tarar remarked that regulation exists worldwide, so why should PECA be a hindrance in Pakistan? He emphasized that PECA is not a draconian law and challenged those who claim that a controversial clause exists, asking which specific clause they were referring to. He also questioned what punishment was given to the person who called for the beheading of Justice Qazi Faez Isa. He pointed out that if digital media continued in this manner, no one would be able to step outside their homes.
MQM member of the National Assembly, Amin Haq, mentioned that Fawad Chaudhry had also tried to create the Pakistan Media Development Authority. He acknowledged the existence of fake news and stated that journalists are also against it. He suggested sitting down with PFUJ, Press Clubs, and journalist organizations to discuss the matter.
The Minister for Information and Broadcasting agreed with Amin Haq’s proposal and expressed his willingness to meet with journalists whenever necessary. In response, the Chairman of the Standing Committee for Information stated that they would listen to journalists’ concerns and work to find solutions.
Earlier, journalist community, in response to a call from the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), held protests across the country, including in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Quetta, against the controversial PECA (Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act) Amendment Bill. Journalist leaders rejected the amendment, calling it an attack on press freedom.
According to media, a large number of journalists, along with civil society members, workers, lawyers, and political party representatives, participated in the protest in Karachi. The protesters carried banners and placards with slogans against the controversial PECA Amendment Act.
In Lahore, the journalist community also protested against the approval of the controversial PECA Amendment Bill, with the Punjab Union of Journalists and other journalist organizations holding a demonstration in front of the Punjab Assembly. Journalists, lawyers, and civil society representatives participated in the protest, stating that the amendments to the PECA Act were passed unlawfully. Meanwhile, journalists also held a protest outside the National Press Club in Islamabad against the PECA Amendment Bill.
Speakers at the protest stated that the recent amendments further tightened cybercrime laws, calling them an assault on freedom of expression and press freedom. They warned that the amendments could be used to shield the government from criticism. Journalists demanded that the bill be immediately withdrawn.
Protests were also held in other cities, including Quetta, Faisalabad, and Bahawalnagar, where the journalist community condemned the PECA Amendment Act, calling it an attack on press freedom.
It is important to note that after the approval in the National Assembly, the Senate also passed the controversial PECA Amendment Bill by a majority vote today. Following the approval of the controversial bill, opposition members became enraged, tearing up copies of the agenda and walking out of the press gallery. Earlier, after the majority approval in the National Assembly on Thursday, the PECA Amendment Bill 2025 was presented in the Senate the next day and was sent to the standing committee by the Senate Chairman.
Additionally, journalistic organizations, including the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), along with groups representing journalists’ rights, issued separate statements condemning the amendments. The Joint Action Committee (JAC), representing these groups, also released a joint statement condemning the amendment.
PECA Amendment Bill 2025
It is worth mentioning that the federal government introduced the PECA Amendment Bill 2025 in the National Assembly on January 22. The bill proposes the establishment of a Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority. The bill includes provisions that could impose three years of imprisonment or a fine of Rs 2 million on individuals spreading false news.
According to the proposed amendments, the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority’s headquarters would be in Islamabad, with offices also established in provincial capitals. The authority would be authorized to register and deregister social media platforms and set standards while ensuring the protection of users’ rights and safety on these platforms.
In case of a violation of the PECA Act, the authority would have the power to take disciplinary action against social media platforms and direct relevant authorities to remove illegal content from social media. Affected individuals would be required to file complaints with the authority within 24 hours.
The amended bill proposes that the authority will consist of nine members, including ex-officio members such as the Secretary of Interior, the Chairman of PTA, and the Chairman of PEMRA. The chairman of the authority must have a bachelor’s degree and at least 15 years of experience in the relevant field. The chairman and five members will be appointed for a five-year term.
The government also plans to include journalists in the authority. In addition to ex-officio members, the authority will include a journalist with at least 10 years of experience, a software engineer, a lawyer, a social media professional, and an IT expert from the private sector.
To implement the amendments, the federal government will establish a Social Media Protection Tribunal. The tribunal’s chairman will be a former high court judge, and it will also include journalists and software engineers.
