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Business Recorder
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PECA Amendment Act 2025: IHC asks petitioners to clarify changes
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) asked the petitioners' lawyers to clarify changes in the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), highlighting what it previously entailed and what has now been altered. A single-judge bench of Justice Inam Amin Minhas, on Monday, heard multiple petitions seeking the annulment of the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Amendment Act 2025. Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), prominent TV anchors, and the IHC Journalists Association have challenged the amendments in the PECA. PECA Act: Respondents asked to submit comments During the proceeding, the federal government filed its written response before the court. The federation's counsel informed that the provincial governments have also been made respondents in the case. He told that an initial objection raised by the Registrar's Office had been removed. The court directed the petitioners' lawyers to argue their case. PFUJ counsel Dr Yasir Aman Khan gave the historical perspective of the Act, 2025. Justice Minhas asked him to first provide the background so the court can understand the case. Dr Yasir submitted that the PECA Act was introduced in 2016, adding that the 2025 Amendment removed several provisions from the original act and added new ones. He contended that Social Media Complaint Council has been set up under the Act, which has expanded its scope. Justice Minhas told the petitioners' counsels to clarify the changes in the Code of Conduct, highlighting what it previously entailed and what has now been altered. Under the new rules, individuals sharing expunged material from parliamentary or provincial assemblies on social media could face imprisonment of up to three years along with a fine of Rs2 million. It was informed to the Court that an atmosphere of harassment has been created in the media industry and the journalists are being summoned and harassed by the FIA. The PFUJ petition said that the law infringed international human rights as well as digital rights in Pakistan. The petition read: '…a writ may be issued declaring that the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025 is unconstitutional, being violative of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution, due process, fair trial, and the concept of regulatory independence, as well as the doctrines of fairness, proportionality, reasonableness, and constitutional limitations or restrictions, hence void, and liable to be struck down.' Therefore, the PFUJ prayed that the respondents may be restrained and prevented from employing the coercive powers under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, in general, and against the journalist community, in particular till final disposal of the instant petition. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
IHC hears petitions against PECA Amendment Act 2025
Listen to article Justice Inam Amin Minhas of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday heard multiple petitions seeking the annulment of the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Amendment Act 2025. The petitions were filed by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), prominent TV anchors, and the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Journalists Association. The federal government has submitted its written response to the court. A government lawyer stated that provincial governments have also been made respondents in the case. Lawyer Imran Shafiq told the court that an initial objection raised by the Registrar's Office had been resolved. During the hearing, IHC directed the petitioners' lawyers to begin presenting their arguments. PFUJ counsel Dr Yasir Aman Khan opened the arguments by giving historical context as the judge asked to first provide the background so the court can understand the case. Read: Back to the cave: Where does PECA take us? "The PECA Act was introduced in 2016," said Dr Yasir, adding that the 2025 Amendment removed several provisions from the original act and added new ones. He noted that the amendment also establishes a Social Media Complaint Council, expanding the law's scope. Justice Inam Amin Minhas instructed the petitioners to clarify the changes in the Code of Conduct, highlighting what it previously entailed and what has now been altered. PECA amendment Earlier this year, the National Assembly passed a set of amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) under a supplementary agenda, significantly expanding the government's authority to regulate online content and penalise digital offences. PECA (Amendment) Act 2025 included provisions for the formation of a Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA), which will be empowered to remove online content, restrict access to prohibited material, and impose penalties on individuals who share such content. The amendments also broadened the definition of 'social media platforms' to encompass tools and software used to access these platforms. The revised law now extends its jurisdiction to include websites, applications and various communication channels. As part of the legislative changes, the FIA Cybercrime Wing is to be disbanded and replaced with a stricter framework of enforcement. Under the new rules, individuals sharing expunged material from parliamentary or provincial assemblies on social media could face imprisonment of up to three years along with a fine of Rs2 million.
Express Tribune
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PHC questions FIR in PECA case
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has issued notices to the federal government and other relevant authorities, seeking a response regarding the registration of an FIR against a local lawyer under the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). A two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Abdul Fayyaz heard the case. During the proceedings, Justice Syed Arshad Ali questioned the legal basis of the FIR, remarking, "How can the police register a case under the PECA Act when it falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)? How can an SHO file such a case?" The petitioner, Advocate Roman Shah, appeared before the court. Justice Arshad Ali asked him why the FIR had been registered. Shah responded that he was unaware of the specific allegations and only knew that it had been filed under PECA. Justice Abdul Fayyaz noted, "The PECA Act falls within FIA's domain. How did the SHO register the FIR?" Justice Arshad Ali further added, "If the matter is within FIA's jurisdiction, then the SHO has no authority to register such a case." The petitioner informed the court that he had already secured interim bail. The Assistant Attorney General told the bench that the FIR was based on a social media post made from the petitioner's account, allegedly targeting a senior official of a security agency. Justice Arshad Ali questioned the petitioner's actions, asking, "Why do you share such content that creates problems?" In response, Advocate Roman Shah denied ownership of the account, stating, "This is not my account. Nowadays, fake accounts are created using other people's photos. I have no knowledge of this post." Following the hearing, the court issued notices to the federal government and other respondents, directing them to submit their replies.
Express Tribune
15-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Lawyers booked for viral traffic row
Cantt police have registered a case against some lawyers for hurling threats at traffic policemen, making a video of the clash over impounding a motorcycle and making it viral on social media. The case was registered under the PECA Act and other offences. The Rawalpindi legal fraternity protested the registration of a case and demanded its quick withdrawal. Inspector Wajid of the City Traffic Police complained that he was on duty with his team when a video was circulated on Facebook by Advocate Chaudhry Rizwan Elahi. The incident took place on Saturday on Haider Road, where a motorcyclist was stopped for not wearing a helmet and for the absence of a front number plate. The rider, identified as Malik Tajammul, was issued a challan (ticket), and his motorcycle was impounded due to a lack of documents. The motorcyclist introduced himself as a lawyer and called around 15 fellow lawyers to the scene, who allegedly hurled serious threats. Other policemen present helped defuse the situation. However, Advocate Rizwan Elahi later posted the video on his Facebook account, allegedly to defame the police. The complaint states that the video was intentionally made viral to incite public sentiment and malign the image and dignity of the police department. It further alleges that threats were issued to uniformed officers and official work was obstructedacts considered criminal. The police confirmed that a case has been registered and investigations are underway. On the other hand, the lawyers strongly condemned the registration of a case, calling it fabricated. In a statement issued by Asad Mehmood Malik, the Secretary of the Rawalpindi Bar Association, the Association expressed strong condemnation of the City Traffic Police's "illegal, unconstitutional, and inappropriate behaviour" towards their esteemed member and former Joint Secretary, Advocate Malik Tajammul Awan. Despite the matter being resolved at the scene, the Bar Association strongly protested the "baseless and unlawful FIR" lodged against Advocates Elahi and Awan, demanding its immediate withdrawal. The Rawalpindi District Bar declared full solidarity with its members, asserting that the dignity and honour of the legal fraternity would never be compromised. If the case is not withdrawn within 24 hours, the Bar will announce its next course of strict action.
Business Recorder
13-06-2025
- Business Recorder
Rajab Butt granted interim bail
LAHORE: A session court on Thursday granted interim bail to a social media activist Rajab Butt in a case under the PECA Act and Section 295-A till June 21. The court also directed the police to produce the case record on next hearing. The case was registered at Nishtar colony police station after his 295-perfume launch which sparked huge controversy on the social media. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
