PFUJ challenges Peca law in Islamabad High Court

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Thursday challenged the contentious Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, (Peca law) in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

PFUJ President Afzal Butt filed the case through Advocate Imran Shafique, terming the legislation an attack on media freedom.

“The Peca (Amendment) Act is unconstitutional and illegal, hence, the court should conduct judicial review on it,” the plea read.

The ruling coalition passed the controversial amendments from both the National Assembly and the Senate to an already contentious Peca law in a short span, with the opposition parties, journalists and media bodies decrying the lack of consultations as well as its provisions.

The journalists body, in the petition, said the Peca (Amendment) 2025 increased the government control and restrictions on freedom of speech.

It said the Peca law violated Article 19 and 19(A) of the Constitution as well. Therefore, it pleaded, the law should be suspended.

“The Peca (Amendment) gave the government unlimited censorship powers. Criminalising fake news without due process is unconstitutional and a violation of the media freedom,” it maintained.

The PFUJ said the law infringed international human rights as well as digital rights in Pakistan.

The petition read: “…a writ may be issued declaring that the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025 is unconstitutional, being violative of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution, due process, fair trial, and the concept of regulatory independence, as well as the doctrines of fairness, proportionality, reasonableness, and constitutional limitations or restrictions, hence void, and liable to be struck down.

“It is further prayed that the respondents may be restrained and prevented from employing the coercive powers under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, in general, and against the journalist community, in particular till final disposal of the instant petition.”

Meanwhile, talking to media in Islamabad, Shafique said the law restricted media’s freedom as the government wanted to crush the freedom of expression.

“There is no clear procedure to deal with fake information. The police can arrest anyone at any time under a cognisable offence,” he said, adding that it would take him three to four years in courts for his defence, if implicated in an offence.

The law, which has now come into effect following President Asif Ali Zardari’s assent, provisions new definitions, the establishment of regulatory and investigative bodies, and stricter penalties for disseminating “false” information.

The new amendments lowered the punishment for spreading “fake information” online to three years while the offender could also face a fine of up to Rs2 million.

The new amendments also proposed the establishment of the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA), the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and the Social Media Protection Tribunal.

Furthermore, it stated, that any person “aggrieved by fake and false information” can approach the authority for removal or blocking access to such information and the authority would issue orders no later than 24 hours on the request.

The fresh changes also stated that the authority might require any social media platform to enlist with it in any manner, form and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed.

Additionally, the new amendments also proposed the constitution of a Social Media Complaint Council to receive and process complaints made by aggrieved parties against violation of any provision of the cybercrime law.

It also proposed the establishment of Social Media Protection Tribunals that will resolve cases within 90 days, with appeals allowed to the Supreme Court within 60 days.

As per PFUJ press release, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemns the targeted harassment and trolling of renowned journalist and anchor Munizae Jahangir by those elements, who are against the freedom of press and independent voices.

PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Arshad Ansari, in joint statement said “We stand firmly in solidarity with Munizae Jahangir, who continues to face unjust attacks for her unwavering commitment to truth and justice. They said that, Her courage and resilience in the face of intimidation and harassment are a testament to her professionalism and dedication to the principles of journalism and human rights.

The PFUJ demands an immediate end to the harassment and trolling of Munizae Jahangir and other journalists who are facing similar threats. We urge the government to take concrete steps to ensure the safety and security of journalists and to hold accountable those responsible for these cowardly acts. “The Supreme Court of Pakistan needs to take suo motu notice, and the Interior Minister must intervene in this worrisome and dangerous situation for working journalists and anchors,” they demanded.

The PFUJ also appeals to the journalist community, civil society, and the general public to stand in solidarity with Munizae Jahangir and other journalists who are facing harassment and intimidation.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Cell of the Pakistan People’s Party is deeply concerned over the threats hurled at a renowned female anchor person Munizae Jehangir of a private channel in the name of religion and calls upon all state authorities to probe the matter and also provide protection to the anchor person against trolling and threats to her person.

President of the PPP HR Cell ex-Senator Farhatullah Babar also called upon the human rights bodies and the civil society to raise voice against it and protect the victim anchor person. “Today it is a female journalist, tomorrow it will be anyone else, he said in a statement on Thursday.

Farhatullah Babar quoted German pastor Martin Niemöller’s lament who said after Nazi Germany had devastated the country: “First, they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist then they came for the Socialists and I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out, because I was not a trade unionist then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew then they came for me, there was no one to speak”.

Farhatullah Babar urged all strata of society and the religious scholars to demand an impartial probe and stand in solidarity with the victim and also appeal to everyone to refrain from trolling, intimidation and harassment. “Let it not be forgotten that there is God whose mill when it starts grinding it grinds exceedingly small”, he said.