ISLAMABAD: A group of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Thursday challenged the prevention of the Electronic Crime (Amendment) Act (PECA), 2025, Islamabad High Court (IHC ) Filed a petition before.
The petition filed by Advocate Imran Shafiq states that the legislation violated basic constitutional rights, especially freedom of expression, freedom of the press and the appropriate action.
The petitioner claimed that several provisions of the amended law were more wide, ambiguous and discretionary, which threatened civil liberties.
Key objections include the ambiguous definition of “social media platforms”, which may apply to various online services, and provides “illegal and aggressive” content, which are considered open for sapot and abuse. –
The request also raised concerns about criticism and disagreement restrictions in the guise of stopping the “Springs”.
PFU JJ Petition says legislation violates basic constitutional rights, especially freedom of expression
In addition, this application highlighted the extensive options given to the Regulatory Authority under Chapter 1-A, especially section 2C and 2B, which causes removing and blocking online materials without considerable surveillance. Allowed. Under Section 2 (T) and 2 (V), the establishment of a Council and Tribunal has been criticized for lack of freedom and neutrality.
Additionally, the application argued that the Amendment Act contradicts the fundamental rights included in Article 2-4, 8, 10A, 14, 18-19A, 25, 33 and 37-38 of the Constitution. He emphasized that the law influenced journalists and media professionals, who were potentially preventing press freedom and investigative reporting.
The petitioner requested the court to declare the PECA 2025 unconstitutional and invalid, while especially looking for a stay order to stop its implementation against journalists.
Dawn, appeared on February 7, 2025
