Latest news with #PECAAmendmentAct
Express Tribune
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
LHC questions PECA Act as journalists, politicians cry foul
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed authorities to submit by June 3 a detailed report of all First Information Reports (FIRs) registered under the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025 (PECA). Justice Farooq Haider issued the directive while hearing a series of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of several provisions of the newly enforced PECA Amendment Act. Petitioners, including Rana Azeem, Secretary General of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and Malik Ahmad Bachar, Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, have argued that the amendments infringe upon fundamental rights and democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan. The petitions name the Federation of Pakistan, the Ministry of Interior, the Government of Punjab, and the Home Department as respondents. The petitioners have requested the court to declare the amendments null and void, alleging they are politically motivated and intended to suppress journalists and curtail freedom of expression. They contend that the PECA Amendment Act, 2025passed by both houses of Parliament and signed into law by President Asif Ali Zardarirepresents a dramatic expansion of government control over digital expression. As per the petitions, vague language and severe penalties in the law have fostered an atmosphere of fear and self-censorship, especially among journalists.
Express Tribune
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
LHC, IHC take up pleas against PECA
The Lahore High Court has sought replies from the PTA and the Punjab government on petitions filed by the PUJ and others challenging the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act 2025. During the proceedings, Justice Farooq Haider expressed displeasure over the non-submission of replies by the Punjab government and the PTA. However, the federal government had already submitted its response. The PTA's counsel requested additional time to file a reply. Granting the request, Justice Haider warned that if the PTA fails to submit its response by the next hearing, legal action will be taken. Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued notices to the respondents on another identical petition against the Prevention of Electronic Crime Amendment Act 2025 (PECA 2025). The court also summoned Attorney General of Pakistan for assistance in the case on next hearing. Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas of the IHC heard the petition against the PECA Amendment Act filed through lawyer Adil Aziz Qazi. The court noted that there are other similar petitions pending before the court. The court issued notices to the parties and adjourned the hearing till April 17. The petitioner has named ministries of information, law and justice and others as respondents in the case. It may be mentioned that the identical petitions of PFUJ, Islamabad High Court Journalists Association and others against the PECA Amendment Act are also under hearing at high court. (More input from APP)
Express Tribune
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
SHC issues notice, seeks govt response over PECA Act petition
Listen to article The Sindh High Court has issued a notice to the federal government and sought a response regarding a petition against the PECA Act within two weeks. The two-member bench, led by Chief Justice of Sindh High Court Justice Mohammad Shafi Siddiqui, heard the petition challenging the PECA Act. The court inquired, "What is wrong with this law? Shouldn't anyone who spreads false news face punishment?" The petitioner's lawyer, Barrister Ali Tahir, raised the fundamental question of who determines what is false or true. Chief Justice remarked that not all decisions are made by the courts; some are made by authorities. "You also have the right to appeal against the authorities' decisions." Barrister Ali Tahir argued that such decisions should be made by the court as they involve fundamental rights. The Chief Justice responded, saying if this is a matter of fundamental rights, then the case should be heard by a constitutional bench. Barrister Ali Tahir cited the Attock Cement case, where the court had decided that regular benches could review the constitutional validity of any law. The court issued a notice to the federal government and directed that a response be submitted within two weeks, adjourning the hearing for two weeks. Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), along with civil society and journalistic organisations, challenged the PECA Amendment Act 2025 in the Lahore High Court. Opposition Leader of the Punjab Assembly, Ahmed Bachhar, along with others, filed the petition against the PECA Act 2025 through Advocate Azhar Siddique. The petition has named the provincial government, the Chief Secretary, and others as respondents. The petition argues that the PECA Amendment Act violates Article 19-A of the Constitution. It states that the Act does not define "fake news," allowing authorities to label any news as fake and take action on political grounds. According to the petition, the amended Act requires journalists to disclose their news sources, which is a violation of journalistic ethics. The petition requests the court to declare the PECA Amendment Act unconstitutional and annul it. Additionally, it urges the court to halt any actions under the Act until a final decision is made.
Express Tribune
08-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PTI and others challenge PECA in LHC
Listen to article Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), along with civil society and journalistic organisations, has challenged the PECA Amendment Act 2025 in the Lahore High Court. Opposition Leader of the Punjab Assembly, Ahmed Bachhar, along with others, filed the petition against the PECA Act 2025 through Advocate Azhar Siddique. The petition has named the provincial government, the Chief Secretary, and others as respondents. The petition argues that the PECA Amendment Act violates Article 19-A of the Constitution. It states that the Act does not define "fake news," allowing authorities to label any news as fake and take action on political grounds. According to the petition, the amended Act requires journalists to disclose their news sources, which is a violation of journalistic ethics. The petition requests the court to declare the PECA Amendment Act unconstitutional and annul it. Additionally, it urges the court to halt any actions under the Act until a final decision is made. Earlier, a division bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday sought more arguments on the admissibility of a petition against the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Amendment Act (Peca), while another petition was filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the legislation. The SHC bench, led by Chief Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui, took up the petition against Peca amendments. Barrister Ali Tahir, the lawyer for the petitioner, informed the bench that they had challenged sections 2R and 26A of Peca. The lawyer said that the Section 26A criminalised the transmission and receipt of information by declaring it "false and fake". He added that sections G and H of the act used the words "false, fake and misrepresentation" in a very vague manner. Previously a petition was filed in the Supreme Court of Pakistan challenging the recent amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), citing concerns over their impact on freedom of speech and human rights. The plea, moved by citizen Filed by Muhammad Qayum Khan, urged the apex court to strike down the amendments, calling them "ultra vires" to the constitutional authority of the legislature. The petition also seeks a full court review of both the recent changes and the original PECA law, arguing that they violate fundamental freedoms.
Express Tribune
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Lawyers, journalists unite against PECA
LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: Terming the recently enacted PECA (Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act) Amendment Act as a 'black law,' lawyers and journalists have united to challenge the legislation in court. Additionally, the journalists' community has decided to lead a protest movement against the law by observing a 'Black Day' on Friday. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) announced that all press clubs and union offices nationwide would hoist black flags on Friday in protest against the PECA Amendment Act. Rallies will also be organized, and journalists will cover public and private events wearing black wristbands. The Islamabad High Court Bar has also dubbed the PECA Amendment Act a 'black law' and an attempt to stifle free speech. The bar has demanded the repeal of the amendments, stating that the act contradicts the fundamental human right to freedom of speech. They vowed to challenge the amendments in the Islamabad High Court. A resolution condemning the PECA Amendment Act was passed by the Islamabad High Court Bar, which termed it an effort to suppress the voices of journalists, social media users, and citizens. A press release issued by the IHC Bar President, Riasat Ali Azad, emphasized that the PECA amendments violate Articles 8 and 19 of the Constitution, which protect the right to freedom of expression. The IHC Bar also stated that the amendments would undermine independent reporting and dissent. Meanwhile, lawyers from the Lahore Bar Association held a rally against the PECA Amendment Act, marching from Aiwan-e-Adl to the Lahore High Court. Addressing the rally, Lahore Bar Association President Mubashir Rehman Chaudhry condemned the act, describing it as an example of human rights violations. He pointed out that the Supreme Court Bar Secretary had been suspended for speaking out against the act. Senior lawyer and Senator Hamid Khan announced that the lawyers' fraternity would hold an All-Pakistan Convention on February 1. He criticized the government for weakening the judiciary, compromising the judicial system, and warned that lawyers must unite to protect the Constitution from further threats. He added, "What will people do if the judiciary becomes weak?" and stressed that the lawyers would not allow government representatives to violate the law.
