SUKKUR: The Sindh Human Rights Com­mission (SHRC) has taken a notice of the registration of a case under Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016, against 28 persons, including journalists and social activists, in Tangwani town of Kandhkot-Kashmore district.

The commission has urged all relevant authorities to exercise caution and ensure that Peca was not weaponised to suppress fundamental freedoms or silence voices raising legitimate concerns.

According to press release issued the other day, SHRC Chairperson Iqbal Detho has directed the Kandhkot-Kashmore SSP to submit a detailed report within seven working days regarding the nature and grounds of the FIR, including the specific provisions of the Peca Act invoked and justification for each.

He said the commission noted with concern that among the individuals named in the FIR were reporters and members of Tangwani Press Club, community leaders and social activists known for their work and reportage on local governance and security issues.

He said that journalists and civil society members reportedly decided not to seek bail for what they believed was a fabricated FIR. The commission was deeply concerned about circulation of unverified reports on social media but was also particularly alarmed by the increasing misuse of certain provisions of Peca, he said.

Though the law was enacted to address cybercrimes and protect citizens in the digital space, there was growing evidence that its provisions especially those relating to defamation and unauthorised transmission of information were being misapplied by various individuals and groups to target their opponents, he said.

He said that any use of Peca must be in strict compliance with constitutional guarantees, particularly Articles 19 and 19-A of the Constitution, which ensured freedom of speech and the right to access information.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2025