HRCP calls for repeal of PECA (Amendment) Act

Islamabad:A report released by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has underscored serious flaws in the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) (Amendment) Act 2025 and called for the law to be repealed entirely without accepting any coercive application of the law's previous iterations from 2016 and 2023.

Produced under HRCP’s Legislation Watch Cell, the report’s findings were presented by digital rights activist Farieha Aziz at an advocacy meeting held earlier today as part of a European Union-funded project. Introducing the meeting, director Farah Zia said that HRCP had noted with alarm the recent spate of repressive laws, particularly those impinging on civic spaces and being used to suppress dissent and freedom of expression.

Farieha Aziz, who has authored the report, pointed out that the law criminalizes vague categories of ‘fake and false information’ with penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment. It also establishes a powerful regulatory authority, a complaints council, and a tribunal—all of which are subject to disproportionate executive control. Further concerns include the conversion of previously bailable and non-cognizable offences into non-bailable and cognizable ones, widening the scope for coercive action. Additionally, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency has replaced the Federal Investigation Authority, operating without adequate safeguards.

Speaking at the meeting, journalist Adnan Rehmat emphasized that the state was responsible for protecting individuals’ rights; he advocated strongly for the decriminalization of free speech and suggested engaging with political parties through broad-based representation.

Journalist Saleem Shahid criticized the PECA (Amendment) Act for violating the constitutional rights to free speech and information and urged journalists and civil society to form a united front to uphold these freedoms. Former BNP-M legislator Sanaullah Baloch identified freedom of expression as integral to a strong parliament.

HRCP co-chair Munizae Jahangir drew attention to hyper-regulated connectivity in Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan as well as the pressure under which journalists in these regions, as well as in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, operate. In this context, journalist Asad Ali Toor recounted his experience of finding out that his family’s bank accounts had been frozen, allegedly in connection with his work—a practice that Ms Jahangir referred to as ‘economic terrorism.’

Digital rights activists Usama Khilji and Aftab Alam advocated the formation of a national coalition comprising civil society members, journalists and human rights defenders to engage with political parties on the rapid escalation in curbs on freedom of expression and opinion. Supporting this proposal, HRCP Council member Farhatullah Babar also underscored the need to counter disinformation while protecting the broader right to free speech and information.

Concluding the meeting, HRCP Islamabad vice-chair Nasreen Azhar proposed that such a coalition should also identify all such laws in conflict with Constitutional guarantees of fundamental freedoms.