Speakers at a national roundtable on freedom of expression criticised the recent amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act (Peca) 2025, saying the law is being widely used to suppress independent voices across Pakistan.
The discussion, held in Islamabad and organised by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) with support from the European Union, brought together journalists, legal experts, civil society leaders and academics. Participants noted that the misuse of Peca was affecting not only traditional journalism but also restricting online platforms and digital spaces.
In his opening statement, political scientist Dr Mohammed Wasim remarked, “It is time that the struggle for human rights and freedom must intensify,” and pointed to global trends in the restriction of dissent, including in the USA and India.
Moderated by digital rights activist Farieha Aziz, the session examined various aspects of the law. Aziz explained that Peca grants sweeping and vague powers to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and noted its negative impact on journalists, social activists, and lawyers. She said, “The PML-N brought this law, PTI expanded it, PPP supported it — and they all suffered,” adding, “The new amendments will create suffering for everybody.”
Participants criticised the lack of transparency and due process in applying the law. One case discussed involved the shutdown of 27 YouTube channels by a court in Islamabad, without notice or legal proceedings provided to those affected.
Anchorperson Absa Komal noted a shift in censorship methods, stating that “economic pressure and institutional intimidation” had replaced overt arrests, leading to increased self-censorship.
Former PFUJ secretary-general and HRCP council member Nasir Zaidi called for unity within civil society to demand legal reforms. He stressed that the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) must take the lead in resisting the misuse of Peca.
HRCP co-chair Munizae Jahangir warned that authorities could exploit divisions within civil society and the media. She called for the formation of an alliance of all stakeholders to resist increasing restrictions on expression.
Several legal experts, including Advocate Talha Sarfraz Khan, Barrister Rida Hussain, and Advocate Usman Warraich, raised concerns over the use of defamation laws to silence criticism. They described the situation as resembling “digital martial law.”
Journalists from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan shared that repression was no longer limited to remote areas and had spread to urban centres, making reporting increasingly difficult.
Former senator and HRCP council member Farhatullah Babar urged the Senate Information Committee to release data on Peca-related cases and proposed the creation of a commission to examine misuse of blasphemy and cyber laws.
HRCP Secretary-General Harris Khalique concluded by stressing the importance of free expression for civil, economic, and social rights. He stated that while hate speech and incitement must be addressed, it should not come at the cost of silencing political dissent or criticism of state policies.
