On July 9, the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting expressed concern over the registration of cases against journalists and social media activists under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca).
Chairing the meeting, Senator Ali Zafar noted that the Ministry of Information had failed to submit a report on the matter. He further observed that a related request sent by the ministry to the Ministry of Interior had gone unanswered.
The committee decided to summon the Secretary of Interior in the next meeting to seek clarification regarding the registration of cases under Peca against media personnel.
In the session, the committee also discussed the Prohibition of Unethical Advertisements Act. Senator Afnan Ullah raised concern over the rising display of advertisements promoting gambling, alcohol, and inappropriate clothing on television and social media platforms. He pointed out the presence of betting advertisements during international cricket matches and the depiction of alcohol consumption in TV dramas, terming them evidence of regulatory failures.
Senator Sarmad Ali highlighted the ease of access to gambling applications and proposed that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) or a religious advisory mechanism should step in. He also suggested the creation of a dedicated content monitoring body.
Committee members questioned the effectiveness of existing PEMRA laws in addressing such advertisements. Senator Pervaiz Rashid said that the penalties currently in place were insufficient to prevent violations, but he cautioned against excessive regulation of cultural norms, particularly in terms of dress.
Responding to the concerns, Senator Afnan Ullah clarified that the bill is not to target women. The committee resolved to seek the opinion of the Minister for Information on the proposed Prohibition of Unethical Advertisements Act before moving forward.
Deliberating on the Right of Access to Information (Amendment) Bill, Senator Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur voiced strong concerns over the practice of public departments providing incomplete or selective information. She cited Scotland as a model where public institutions ensure transparency and timely responses.
The committee also examined administrative matters related to state-run broadcaster PTV. Ministry officials disclosed that the annual budget of Rs11 billion had been exhausted, with Rs8.5 billion spent solely on staff salaries.
Senator Waqar Mehdi expressed alarm over the illegal occupation of Radio Pakistan buildings in Karachi and highlighted instances of electricity theft through unauthorized connections. He called for inspections of Radio Pakistan’s properties outside the capital to evaluate their condition and curb encroachments.
The meeting was attended by Senators Pervaiz Rashid, Sarmad Ali, Jan Muhammad, Syed Waqar Mehdi, Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur, and senior officials from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and other concerned departments.
