Reham Khan calls for repealing PECA

MANSEHRA: Celebrity Reham Khan has said that it was high time the government repealed the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, safeguarding freedom of speech.

“I was one of the strongest critics of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) government for introducing PECA in 2016, and now the same party has made it even more oppressive, further curbing freedom of expression and drawing widespread criticism,” she said while addressing a presser at the press club here on Sunday.

Accompanied by her husband, Mirza Bilal Baig, she said that those who played a key role in enacting PECA and suffered the consequences in the past would face similar outcomes in the future for making the law even more stringent.

“The government should respect the voices of journalists and media professionals and adapt policies to align with the needs of the modern era,” she added.Reham Khan, the former wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan, said the country could only progress toward true democracy when politicians empowered ordinary women, rather than favoring their family members-daughters and sisters-for political roles.

A native of the historic Baffa town here, Reham praised Hazara’s rich culture and traditions.“I have traveled to many countries and seen natural wonders, but the serene lakes, high mountains, and lush green meadows of Mansehra rest of Hazara are truly unique,” she said.

Reham Khan, who also performed a Hindko language folk song (Maya), emphasised the importance of promoting local languages and called on the government to give them due attention in its literary and cultural policies. She also expressed support for creating Hazara and other provinces on administrative grounds, not on ethnic lines.“I oppose the formation of new federating units based on ethnicity, but support their creation for better governance,” she said.