Latest news with #PECAAmendmentAct2025
Express Tribune
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
KPC announces convention against PECA law tweak
In a decisive move against the recently passed PECA Amendment Act 2025, journalist bodies, legal experts, and human rights organizations have united to launch a joint struggle for its immediate annulment. A convention will be held on March 1, 2025, at Karachi Press Club to voice collective opposition to what is being described as a "draconian law" by its critics. The decision was made during a consultative meeting convened by the Karachi Press Club (KPC), co-chaired by KPC President Fazil Jamili and Secretary Muhammad Sohail Afzal Khan. The meeting brought together representatives from various sectors, including prominent lawyer Barrister Salahuddin Ahmed, Karachi Bar Association General Secretary Abdul Rahman Korai, All Pakistan Newspaper Society's Shahab Zuberi, Anwar Sajdi of the Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors, Pakistan Union of Journalists (Dastoor) Secretary General Alauddin Hamdam Khanzada, and Karachi Union of Journalists (Dastoor) President Hamid Rehman, among others. In his opening remarks, KPC Secretary Sohail Afzal emphasized the diminishing space for democratic debate.
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.
