Peca bill to stifle freedom of expression: Rabbani

ISLAMABAD: Condemning the passage of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (PECA), former chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani Friday said the bill will further stifle the freedom of expression by setting up authorities under the executive control.

“The haste with which the bill was passed by the National Assembly is demeaning to the parliamentary process of legislation,” he said.

“A controversial legislation is never a good legislation,” he said.

He said it was unfortunate that the government did not take on board the relevant stakeholders before the passage of the bill.

“In fact, the government breached its commitment with various elected journalist bodies of consultation,” he said.

“Joint investigation teams, including members of unnamed intelligence agencies, will be formed to watch over journalists, social media and the general public,” he said.