The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has filed a petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC) to challenge recent amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016.
The petition, spearheaded by Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar and Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Secretary General Rana Azeem, seeks to declare the amendments unconstitutional.
The petition contends that the amendments infringe upon various articles of the Constitution, including Articles 10-A, 19, 19-A, and others, which protect civil liberties such as the right to a fair trial and freedom of expression. It demands the annulment of actions taken under the recently amended Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, alleging that political motives underlie the law’s intent to target journalists.
The National Assembly and Senate quickly approved the amendments, drawing criticism from opposition parties, journalists, and media organizations due to the rushed process and insufficient consultation. The revised law, which President Asif Ali Zardari recently ratified, includes new definitions, establishes regulatory bodies like the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA) and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), and introduces harsher penalties for spreading “false” information.
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The recent amendments have lowered the maximum penalty for spreading “fake information” online to three years in prison and a fine of up to Rs2 million. It also sets out mechanisms for the public to report “fake and false information,” requiring the newly established authority to act within 24 hours.
Critics argue that these changes grant excessive control over social media, potentially leading to censorship. Additional provisions include the formation of Social Media Complaint Councils and Protection Tribunals, which aim to swiftly address and resolve complaints related to cybercrimes.
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Notably, voices within the ruling coalition, such as former minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, have advocated for further legal revisions based on broader consultations. Despite government assurances to the contrary, widespread concern about potential misuse of the law is leading to challenges not only in the Lahore High Court but also in the Supreme Court and other regional high courts.
