LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday allowed more time to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Punjab Home Department to furnish replies to petitions challenging the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025.

Justice Farooq Haider heard the petitions filed by Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Ahmad Khan Bhachar and the journalists’ organisations.

The law officers of the federation and the province sought time to submit replies on behalf of the PTA and the home department.

The judge expressed his displeasure over non-submission of the replies but allowed another opportunity to the respondents to comply with the orders by March 13.

The petitions argue that the impugned law infringes upon multiple fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2025

Opinion

Editorial

A new chokepoint
Updated 24 Jul, 2026

A new chokepoint

WITH free transit of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz blocked due to the US-Iran conflict, a new chokepoint has...
Improved rating
24 Jul, 2026

Improved rating

S&P GLOBAL’S decision to upgrade Pakistan’s long-term sovereign credit rating to ‘B’ with a stable...
More firetraps
24 Jul, 2026

More firetraps

WHILE it was already apparent that death traps dot Karachi, a safety audit by the Sindh government has thrown up...
De-escalation efforts
23 Jul, 2026

De-escalation efforts

WHILE the exchange of fire across the Gulf — and the wider Middle East — continues between the US and Iran,...
Time to integrate
23 Jul, 2026

Time to integrate

PAKISTAN remains one of the least regionally integrated economies in Asia. The trade figures for the last fiscal ...
Modi unnerved
23 Jul, 2026

Modi unnerved

DISCONTENT is visible in India. Delhi has been on the boil since last month. As thousands took to the streets ...