LHC seeks govt reply to plea against Peca amendments

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: Lahore High Court’s Justice Farooq Haider has sought a reply from the federal government and other respondents regarding amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) on a petition filed by Malik Ahmed Khan Bachhar, Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly.

During the hearing, lawyer Azhar Siddique argued that the PECA (Amendment) Act fails to define fake news, raising concerns that any news could arbitrarily be labelled as such. The petition also contended that the punishments prescribed under the PECA Act violate criminal law. “The amendment proposes strict punishments while denying the accused the right to appeal. Additionally, it compels journalists to disclose their sources, which contradicts judicial precedents,” the petition said. The petitioner further argued that the PECA (Amendment) Act violates fundamental rights and freedom of expression, urging the court to declare it null and void.

Meanwhile, hearing on the applications of the PFUJ and senior journalist Hamid Mir and other anchorpersons against the controversial Peca will be held today in the Islamabad High Court. Justice Raja Inam Amin Minhas will hear the petitions.

The petition said the Peca is an attack on freedom of press and against Article 19 and 19A of the Constitution and gives unlimited powers to government censorship. “It will restrict freedom of expression and increase government control. The Act is the worst violation of digital rights in Pakistan. Criminalizing fake news without due process is unconstitutional and a restriction on press freedom,” they argued.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has announced a nationwide hunger strike from February 12 to 14, intensifying its press freedom movement against the draconian Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

The decision was made after extensive consultations across the country, according to PFUJ President Afzal Butt. Butt and PFUJ Secretary General Arshad Ansari said hunger strike camps will be set up in press clubs across Pakistan, with participation from political leaders, lawyers, human rights activists, and civil society representatives. The PFUJ leadership warned the government that if the controversial law is not withdrawn, they are prepared to stage a prolonged sit-in similar to past movements for press freedom.

“We are ready to repeat history, just as we did during the press freedom struggle against General Zia-ul-Haq,” said Afzal Butt. He emphasized that the PFUJ would not tolerate restrictions on free speech and independent journalism.

Ansari echoed these sentiments, reminding the government that journalists had previously held a 72-day sit-in against former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf. “If this protest fails to achieve its objective, we will call for a sit-in in front of Parliament House,” he warned.