QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court on Monday sought replies from all provincial governments to petitions challenging the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) filed by the Balochistan Bar Council, Balochistan Union of Journalists and Balochistan chapter of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

During the proceedings, Additional Attorney General for Pakistan Farid Dogar informed a Balochistan High Court division bench, comprising Justice Shoukat Ali Rakhshani and Justice Gul Hassan Tareen, that a case challenging Peca was already pending before the Federal Constitutional Court and sought dismissal of the petitions on this ground.

However, Advocate Rahib Khan Buledi, the counsel for the petitioners, argued that the Act had been challenged not only before the BHC but also in all high courts. He contended that the law violated fundamental provisions of the Constitution and was intended to suppress freedom of speech and freedom of information.

The counsel submitted that under the guise of Peca, numerous cases had been registered against journalists, lawyers and social activists, amounting to violations of human rights.

After hearing the arguments, the court adjourned the proceedings to a later date and sought responses from all provincial governments.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2025