The Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, during its meeting on July 23, addressed multiple issues concerning the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and media content oversight. The committee, chaired by Senator Sarmad Ali, examined the slow pace of transferring cases registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) to the NCCIA, despite legal mandates.
The committee was informed that only 9 out of approximately 372 eligible cases had been transferred to the NCCIA. All these cases were transferred by Sindh Police; the majority are still handled by provincial police forces. This contrasts with the amendments in the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, which grant the NCCIA exclusive investigative authority.
The committee also noted that under-trial Peca cases pending before courts had not been executed, prompting the committee to direct provincial inspectors general of police and advocate generals to expedite the process and clarify delays.
The committee also discussed NCCIA notices issued to a newspaper columnist over an article deemed offensive by a bureaucrat. After the agency clarified that it had only sought the columnist’s version and had not initiated criminal proceedings, the committee directed the NCCIA to refer the matter to the Press Council of Pakistan, stressing that PECA should not be used against regulated media content.
The meeting also touched on the controversial approval of the film ‘Buleha’ by the Central Board of Film Censors, which was criticised for allegedly misrepresenting Sufi poet Hazrat Baba Bulleh Shah. The committee recommended renaming the film and removing certain dialogues, stressing the importance of respecting historical figures and cultural sentiments.
The committee addressed the allocation of government advertisements, urging the Press Information Department to ensure a 25% quota for regional newspapers is implemented effectively, especially in Sindh and Balochistan.
The committee also discussed the allotment of housing for journalists and media workers, directing the formation of a subcommittee to oversee the implementation of the housing quota recommendation and propose future initiatives.
The committee also addressed the grievances of Radio Pakistan pensioners and directed the relevant authorities to resolve the 353 pending commutation cases without delay.
