ISLAMABAD: Another petition against recent amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) has been filed in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
The challenge, filed by the IHC Journalists Association (IHCJA), was taken up by Acting Chief Justice Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar on Monday.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel argued that the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act 2025 was a “severe attack” on freedom of the press and violated fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.
The petition highlighted that the act, amending the original law passed in 2016, was unconstitutional and illegal, undermines judicial review, and grants the government excessive powers to censor content.
It also emphasized that the amendments were in conflict with articles 19 (freedom of speech) and 19A (right to information) of the Constitution.
The petitioner further contended that the regulatory authority established under the amended Peca lacked constitutional status and independence, as it would be “subject to government control”, including appointments and removals.
They described the Act as the “worst violation of digital rights in Pakistan”, calling for its immediate judicial review.
Following the arguments, the acting CJ clubbed the IHCJA’s challenge with identical petitions pending before Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas.
During the last hearing, Justice Minhas sought the assistance of the attorney general for Pakistan on a petition challenging the changes to the cybercrime law. The petition was filed by a faction of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists.
Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2025
