PECA Amendment Act 2025 challenged in LHC

LAHORE: A petition has been filed in Lahore High Court (LHC) against the newly-passed draconian amendment act 2025 under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The bill was passed on Tuesday in the Senate amid the rumpus created by opposition as well as the journalist community.

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

The petitioner is Lahore Press Club member, Jafar Bin Yaar, who filed the application through his lawyer.

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.