LHC dismisses plea to halt enforcement of newly passed PECA Amendment

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday rejected the petition filed against newly passed Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Amendment Act 2025.

The request to stop the implementation of certain sections of the ordinance was dismissed by Justice Farooq Haider, who has issued notice to both parties demanding a response within three weeks.

The petition was filed by a journalist, Jaffar bin Yar who was represented his lawyer Nadeem Sarwar.

The petition has named Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) as well as other parties as respondents, and the court had been requested to declare the PECA Amendment as null and void.

The petitioner said the National Assembly approved the PECA Amendment Bill last week, adding that the lower hours of the parliament suspended its rules to fast-track the approval process of the bill.

The National Assembly had approved the bill related to the PECA amendments last week, and the bill has been under constant scrutiny by journalists’ bodies as well as human rights organisations.

Among other aspects, under the Act, spreading fake information could result in 3 years of imprisonment and a fine. Yaar pointed out that PECA has been used as a silent weapon in the past, and that the bill was introduced without consulting relevant stakeholders and journalist organisations. The petition added that the approval of the PECA Amendment Bill will severely impact freedom of expression.

Journalists across Pakistan will be observing “Black Day” on the call of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) to protest against the law. PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Arshad Ansari criticised the government in a joint statement, reminding that the ruling party once championed press freedom while in opposition—just like past governments. PFUJ leaders described the amended PECA as a tool for arrests and punishments without due process. They announced a “Press Freedom Movement” against the law, stating that this was not just a protest but a long-term struggle.

Butt expressed disappointment with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leadership, saying he had high hopes for Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, especially since Bilawal had previously spoken in favor of press freedom in parliament.