Pak parliament approves controversial PECA bill that opposition and media claim curbs free speech

Pakistan National Assembly binds PM, cabinet not to implement top court verdict .

Islamabad: The National Assembly of Pakistan on Thursday passed the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes (PECA) Amendment Bill 2025 amid a massive protest by the main opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the country’s media community.

The controversial bill was tabled in the Parliament on Wednesday by law minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and later referred to the standing committee for review. On Thursday afternoon, the bill was introduced in the National Assembly under a supplementary agenda by Federal Minister Rana Tanveer.

As per the new PECA bill provisions, strict action would be taken against anyone who shares, publicly exhibits or transmits any false or fake news through any information system.

During the proceedings, political parties including PTI and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) opposed the bill and staged a walkout in protest, terming the bill as an “open license” for the government to imprison anyone who opposes it, even on social media.

“The PECA Act Amendment Bill introduces harsh penalties for social media users who criticise the government. Are you (the government) trying to silence everyone in Pakistan and not allow anyone to speak against the government? You want to label every activist as anti-state? It is clear that no one can express views or criticise the government anymore now. This law will backfire on the government. We reject it completely,” said PTI’s National Assembly member Zartaj Gul.

The politician questioned the government’s intentions behind rushing the bill through the legislative process.

“The bill was proposed yesterday and referred to the standing committee. And today, it was forced through the parliament without any proper briefing or explanation. This is not how a country should be run, by silencing everyone,” she stated.

Spokesperson and Information Advisor to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, Barrister Saif also slammed the government for passing the PECA amendment bill.

“The grave that they are digging for the media will eventually be their own. These new laws are being introduced to eliminate media, judiciary and political opposition,” he said.

The bill has also been strongly opposed by the journalist bodies, who staged a walkout from the press gallery of the National Assembly in protest of the bill’s passing on Thursday.

“The amendments are a deliberate attempt to suppress the media, social media and the journalist community,” said Afzal Butt, President of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ).

“The KUJ protests any attempt to suppress freedom of expression under any circumstances and demands immediate withdrawal of this black law,” read a statement issued by the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ).

According to the Section 26(A) of the new PECA Act, whoever intentionally disseminates, publicly exhibits, or transmits any information through any information system, that he knows or has reason to believe to be false or fake and likely to cause or create a sense of fear, panic or disorder or unrest in general public or society, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend up to three years or with a fine which may extend to Rs two million, or both.

The bill allows establishment of a Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA), with the power to identify and remove any online content that falls under fake news or false propaganda and is judged illegal.

In spite of the huge criticism, the government maintains that the bill is critical to safeguard the public at large from what it terms as “harmful and illegal” content.

Terming the matter as an issue of national security, the government emphasised that fake news, false propaganda and spread of misinformation/disinformation needs to come under the radar of scrutiny.

“This is a matter of national interest for Pakistan. False propagandas are created on social media where politicians, armed forces, judiciary and other government and armed forces officers are being targetted. This is being done by elements hired to spread hatred, intolerance, chaos and unrest against our institutions and incite masses to violence. This cannot be allowed and has to be stopped,” said Information Minister Atta Tarar.

“Every country in the world has a policy for the media and the information that is shared. No country allows fake news to be allowed to propagate. We are doing the same. PECA ordinance is bad news to all those who spread fake news and wrong facts and does not aim to suppress freedom of expression or the freedom of press,” he added.

IANS

Israeli forces begin withdrawing from key Gaza corridor under ceasefire deal

Jerusalem: Israeli forces have begun withdrawing from a key area in Gaza as part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement that took effect last month, an Israeli government official said on...

Israel expands West Bank operation, raids Nur Shams refugee camp

Jerusalem: Israeli forces expanded their military operation in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, launching a raid in the Nur Shams refugee camp, a military spokesperson said. The Israel Defense...

Will play role of constructive Opposition, make BJP fulfil its promises to the people: Atishi

New Delhi: Outgoing Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said on Sunday that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will play the role of a constructive opposition and make the Bharatiya Janata Party...

Atishi submits resignation as Delhi CM to L-G VK Saxena

New Delhi: AAP leader Atishi on Sunday submitted her resignation from the Chief Minister's post following the party's defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections at the hands of the BJP....

Dreams of Sahib Singh Verma will now be fulfilled: Parvesh Verma

New Delhi: BJP's winning candidate from the New Delhi Assembly constituency, Parvesh Verma, received a grand welcome in his native village, Mundka, on Sunday. Following his victory over AAP National...

Delhi has voted for good governance: PM Modi on election results

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hailed BJP’s landslide victory in the Delhi Assembly elections and promised developmental works with fresh vigour and new government’s strict adherence to...

Fight for rights of Delhiites will continue: Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi: Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, reacting to the election results, said on Saturday that he humbly accepts the mandate...

Fight against BJP will continue: Atishi after winning from Kalkaji

New Delhi: Delhi’s outgoing Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Atishi has secured victory from the Kalkaji Assembly constituency, defeating BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri by over 3,000 votes. Extending...

Parvesh emerges giant killer by defeating Kejriwal; Sisodia also loses in Jangpura

New Delhi: After tight fights, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia lost from the New Delhi and Jangpura Assembly constituencies respectively, on a...

Trends show end of AAP’s experimental politics: Sudhanshu Trivedi

New Delhi: The era of experimental politics has ended with the AAP getting punished by the voters for corruption and misgovernance, BJP National Spokesman Sudhanshu Trivedi said on Saturday as...

Delhi poll results: AAP’s shock loss and BJP’s big comeback sparks meme frenzy on social media

New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has crossed the majority mark as per latest trends of Delhi Assembly election results. Trends till 12:45 PM showed that the BJP secured...

Delhi election results disappointing for Congress, says T.S. Singh Deo

Ambikapur: Senior Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Minister T.S. Singh Deo expressed disappointment over early trends in the Delhi Assembly election results, which indicate a strong showing for the Bharatiya...

Read Previous

Russia ready for equal dialogue with US: Kremlin

Read Next

AAP govt failed to deliver any development in Okhla: Asaduddin Owaisi

WP2Social Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com