In a unified stand against the recently amended Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), journalists across Pakistan have organized protests, urging the government to revoke the legislation. The demonstrations erupted shortly after the Senate passed the PECA Amendment Bill 2025, a move that has been met with widespread criticism from media professionals and civil society alike.

Nationwide Protests Highlight Press Freedom Concerns

Major cities, including Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, and Quetta, witnessed significant gatherings of journalists and supporters advocating for press freedom. Leading figures from the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), such as President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Arshad Ansari, spearheaded these protests. In Lahore, Dunya Media Group Managing Director Naveed Kashif joined the demonstrators, underscoring the media industry’s collective dissent.

Addressing participants in Lahore, Arshad Ansari criticized the government’s approach, stating, “This legislation has been imposed without any consultation with the journalists. I warn the government against silencing our voices.” He further emphasized the PFUJ’s commitment to challenging the law through legal avenues and continued advocacy.

Legislative Developments Amid Opposition

Despite mounting opposition, the Senate approved the PECA Amendment Bill 2025 and the Digital Nation Bill 2025. Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Federal Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain presented the bills in the absence of the interior minister. Notably, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), an ally of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), supported the legislation, while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members vocally opposed it.

The session was marked by protests from PTI senators, who gathered before Deputy Chairman Syedal Khan Nasir’s dais, chanting slogans and tearing copies of the bill. Concurrently, journalists staged a walkout from the Press Gallery, signaling their disapproval of the legislative process and the content of the amendments.

Key Provisions and Media Backlash

The amended PECA legislation proposes the establishment of a Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA), endowed with the authority to regulate online content, remove material deemed prohibited or obscene, and penalize individuals responsible for sharing such content. Critics argue that these measures could lead to overreach and suppression of free expression.

Media organizations have expressed deep concerns over the lack of consultation during the drafting process. The PFUJ has labeled the amendments as deceptive and unnecessary, viewing them as calculated efforts to suppress the media, social media platforms, and the broader journalistic community. The Karachi Press Club (KPC) also condemned the amendments, highlighting that Article 19 of Pakistan’s Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of speech.

Call for Inclusive Legislation

Journalists and media bodies are urging the government to engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders to develop legislation that balances the need to combat misinformation with the protection of press freedom. The KPC proposed empowering mainstream media to report accurate information in real-time and combating misinformation on social media through inclusive legislation involving all stakeholders.

As the situation unfolds, the media community remains steadfast in its demand for the immediate repeal of the PECA amendments, emphasizing the critical importance of preserving freedom of expression and maintaining a free and independent press in Pakistan.