The Senate Standing Committee on Home Affairs on Monday approved the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2025 with a majority vote as the opposition and journalists slammed the changes to the country’s cybercrime laws.
The National Assembly passed controversial amendments to the country’s cybercrime laws last week amid protests, PTI lawmakers and journalists said as they walked out of the proceedings. PPP members had expressed their support during the voting. The bill is now with the Senate, after which it has been referred to the Standing Committee on Home Affairs.
Bill, a copy of which is available Dawn.comA new provision, Section 26(a), has been proposed for PECA to punish perpetrators of online “fake news”. It states that any person who intentionally spreads, displays, or spreads, displays or transmits the possibility of creating fear, panic or unrest in the society, shall be liable to imprisonment for three years, up to Rs.2 million. may face a fine or both.
According to a report released today by Senator Faisal Rehman, chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, Senator Shahadat Awan, Palusha Khan, Dostsha Khan Domki, Irfan Siddiqui, Naima Ahsan and Umeer Farooq participated in this bill while Senator Kerman Marataza participated. of A special guest.
According to the report, the bill “seeks to fundamentally modernize… the legislative framework for combating cybercrimes in Pakistan”, while the home secretary emphasized that the bill was written in good faith. is and aims to “protect the common people… and to engage in.-Field work more effectively to protect the rights of people.
According to the report, PML-N Senator Siddiqui said he agreed with the intent behind the amendment bill while Rehman raised his reservations over the proposed amendments, arguing that they eroded freedom of speech. He added that they moved in a hurry and they were and they were. According to PTI policy against them.
“After a detailed discussion, the bill was put to the votes of the committee which was approved by a majority vote,” the report said, adding that the committee recommended that the bill be passed by the Senate. To be approved.
Meanwhile, a press release issued by the Senate said that Rehman has stressed the readiness of the committee to provide constructive suggestions to the government to facilitate improvements.
“The members of the committee unanimously agreed on the need for a strong law to prevent electronic crimes and ensure strict compliance. They highlighted that existing laws on issues such as pornography, child protection and hate speech There is a lack of clear definitions to resolve.
“Members agreed that the bill is of the utmost importance, as trolling and abuse are widespread problems that must be curtailed. After a comprehensive discussion, the committee unanimously agreed to improve and meaningfully improve the proposed law. Resolved to cooperate in formulating constructive recommendations.
Journalists express concern, Govt
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Afzal Butt while addressing a press conference in Islamabad attacked Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on the PECA amendment. “It’s a huge crime,” he said.
According to the Ministry of Information, he wanted to consult stakeholders before the bill tabled in the Senate, but we want to consult you, Butt said.
Afzal added that the ministry invited the PFUJ for consultation where the group questioned the addition of more than 50 amended sections in the amendment bill.
Afzal, while requesting a week for the effort, announced, “We have decided that all the institutions in the Joint Action Committee (JAC) will approach their lawyers and proceed with the government through a bill point. will be.”
“Jack delivered a letter to the chairman of the committee demanding that bodies of journalists be consulted before legislation is enacted.
“We don’t oppose regulations, we just want to be heard,” Afzal said.
Instead of passing the bill today, schedule another committee meeting. Jack will provide his input point by point.
Afzal noted that the bill would affect the “future of Pakistan’s youth”.
Meanwhile, in a letter addressed to Senator Rehman, the Anchors Association said it had concerns about the intent of the bill to journalists and ordinary citizens, suggesting that the law “does nothing but improve social media. It is more about intimidation, harassment and concern against critical voices of society”.
Criticizing the bill for how quickly it was rushed through Parliament, the association also highlighted its three major concerns about the legislation.
“We believe that three basic assumptions have been ignored during this controversial legislation. OL, since it is directly affecting the right of speech and expression of one’s opinion the social aspect is completely neglected.
“Secondly, the State has to ensure freedom of speech under Article 19 of the Constitution… by creating a conducive environment for every citizen where he can express his opinion fully without fear of intimidation, while the proposed legislation is pending. Like a sword, it will cause harassment and intense fear in the society.
Third, the bill equated fake news with other heinous crimes and would affect “millions of Pakistanis who use social media or any other information system,” the letter added. Additionally, the letter requests that a distinction be drawn between the use of social media for fake news and far more serious crimes such as personal threats and pornography.
The Anchors Association said it was open to consultation with the government before enacting the legislation.
“We hope that being a responsible state, the stakeholders will be taken into confidence and approve such a draft for final legislation which will prevent the harassment and scrutiny of Pakistani citizens. A mature and responsible social media would be a shared goal of social and political opinion and its display on social media,” the letter reads.
Regulate fake news, but don’t censor: PTI’s Ali Zafar
Addressing a press conference outside Parliament House, PTI Senator Ali Zafar asserted that the party stands in solidarity with journalists and human rights groups against the PECA amendment, he added. That all stakeholders should have been consulted before introducing the Bill in Parliament.
“Our demand was straightforward and simple: that the government listens to every stakeholder and then decides whether to approve the amendment,” he said. “However, we were not given the opportunity and had no choice but to express solidarity with our media and journalists.”
The senator admitted that “fake news” was a real problem, adding that he and his party were in favor of regulation against it, however, he was strongly against any censorship.
“In trying to regulate it (fake news), you cannot censor the media,” Zafar said. “Fake news is defined so broadly in this bill that if I speak against any institution or legislator, they can call it fake news and it is a punishable offence.
“The amendments to PECA, in our opinion and that of journalists and human rights organizations, are unconstitutional and undemocratic. Those who pass it do not want us to have freedom of speech,” he asserted. get
Zafar added that the opposition is not allowed to discuss the law even in Parliament. “I call on the government and the deputy chairman of the senate to form a joint committee with equal representation and all stakeholders are present,” he said.
“This committee should provide recommendations to the Senate Interior Committee for our input to be considered.. This is how legislation is enacted,” he said, adding that if the committee is not formed, the opposition will once again Will express solidarity with the media.
“We are absolutely against fake news, it is very harmful and we are in favor of regulating it. But we are against censorship,” Zafar maintained. “We are protesting because it is only PTI. No, it is against every Pakistani. There has to be a balance. “
Additional reporting by Nader Goramani.
