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January 30, 2025 - Comments Off on PK Ambassador to the US defends PECA Amendments, media restrictions

PK Ambassador to the US defends PECA Amendments, media restrictions

Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States defended the recently passed Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) amendments and other actions by the Pakistani government to curb freedom of expression, as a way to tackle “the irresponsible use of digital space and the spread of fake news.”

Speaking at a diplomatic event held in Washington, DC, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Shaikh was asked about restrictions on Pakistan’s media and overall freedom of expression in the wake of changes to PECA. In response, Mr. Shaikh asserted that Pakistan was working to “regulate social media to make it more responsible”, and made comparisons to other efforts to regulate and tackle social media by other governments.

When pressed further concerning the impact on mainstream news outlets in Pakistan, the ambassador said that the government “welcomed” responsible journalism. He also claimed that Islamabad was interested in speaking with media organisations regarding the amendments and other regulations, something that may raise an eyebrow or two among journalists in Pakistan.

January 29, 2025 - Comments Off on Journalist files case against PECA Amendments in Lahore High Court

Journalist files case against PECA Amendments in Lahore High Court

The formal passage into law of amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) has been challenged in the Lahore High Court by a Pakistani journalist, arguing that the amendments are a threat to the “constitutional right to free speech”.

The legal challenge filed by Jafar Bin Yar – and which includes the government, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and other parties as respondents – asserted that the PECA Amendments Bill 2025 had been introduced  in and passed by the National Assembly without key stakeholders, such as civil society organisations and journalists, being consulted.

Mr. Bin Yar’s legal petition requested the nullification of the newly passed PECA Amendment Act, and that any actions taken post-passage be suspended until a final decision in his petition has been issued.

January 29, 2025 - Comments Off on President Zardari Signs PECA Amendments into law

President Zardari Signs PECA Amendments into law

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has signed into law controversial amendments to the the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), in the face of numerous protests and calls of condemnation from journalists, political parties and international human rights organisations such as Amnesty International. The presidential assent – which also included another controversial law, the Digital National Pakistan Bill - came on the heels of the rapid approval of the PECA amendments by both the National Assembly and the Senate. The International Federation of Journalists said in a statement that:

"The amendments to Pakistan’s draconian PECA represent a transparent attempt to further tighten control over digital expression and internet freedom under the guise of curbing misinformation. By extending government jurisdiction online, broadening censorship powers, and imposing penalties for vaguely defined offences, this legislation threatens journalists, activists, and the public’s right to information. The IFJ calls on President Asif Ali Zardari to swiftly reject the bill and ensure the constitutional right to freedom of expression is upheld.”

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists said that they protest the passage of the amendments, and would  “stage a grand sit in front of the Parliament House in Islamabad on February 14, 2025”.

January 10, 2025 - Comments Off on Internet Disruptions and Shutdowns In January

Internet Disruptions and Shutdowns In January

Between January 1-10, 2025, Pakistan faced significant internet disruptions across 15 regions, severely impacting connectivity and digital access. Karachi, Islamabad, and Kashmir experienced heavy censorship, including social media bans and throttled internet and data networks. Protests, political events, and security operations drove many shutdowns, with localized disruptions in Gwadar and Swat.

A major submarine cable fault on January 2 caused nationwide slowdowns, crippling e-commerce and affecting critical infrastructure. Despite mitigation efforts, such as additional bandwidth, the incident exposed vulnerabilities within Pakistan's digital infrastructure, emphasizing the urgent need for improved internet stability and protection of digital rights.

December 14, 2024 - Comments Off on Journalists, vloggers among 150 booked under PECA for “maligning security agencies”

Journalists, vloggers among 150 booked under PECA for “maligning security agencies”

Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has registered cases against 150 individuals, including journalists and vloggers, “for their involvement in maligning security agencies over the Nov 26 incident”, referring to the controversy surrounding the number of deaths at a protest march by PTI supporters in late November 2024. According to the FIA, Harmeet Singh, a Pakistani Sikh journalist, had ostensibly promoted a “false narrative” concerning the four day-long protest, and claimed that he had incited violence against the state. He and others were being booked under Sections 9 (“Glorification of an Offence”), 10 (“Cyber Terrorism”), 11 (“Hate Speech”) and 24 (“Cyber Stalking”) of the PECA.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned the 150 arrests, calling them “a blatant attack on press freedom and freedom of expression in Pakistan and depicts the authoritarian mindset of the so-called elected government.” The PFUJ stressed that it does not condone “fake news”, but that “due process” was vital when registering cases against journalists.