PFUJ to observe black day tomorrow against Peca amendments 

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has announced observing a black day tomorrow (Friday) in protest against the controversial amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca).

The recent amendment to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2025, initially enacted in Pakistan in 2016, ignited widespread distress with journalists, rights bodies, lawyers, and politicians dubbing it draconian, and taking it as an attack on the freedom of digital expression.

The PFUJ leadership has launched what they call a “freedom of the press” movement, pledging to mobilise journalists, lawyers, and civil society across the country. They warned of intensified protests, including a sit-in outside Parliament House, until the repeal of the “black law.”

Following the PFUJ’s call, regional journalist unions held nationwide protest demonstration on Wednesday, including Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ), which took to D-chowk to decry the legislation aimed at gagging the press freedom.

In a notification on Thursday, the journalist’s body called on press clubs and union offices to hoist black flags and urged media persons to wear black armbands while covering events.

PFUJ President Afzal Butt criticised the government for passing the contentious bill without consulting stakeholders and accused President Asif Ali Zardari of signing the bill without meeting representatives, despite repeated requests.

“The government didn’t even give us a week to deliberate on the legislation,” Butt said at a press conference on Jan 27.

“Parliament’s supremacy has been established through the blood of journalists. Institutions don’t become supreme by their buildings but through their actions and character,” he said, urging parliamentarians to uphold democratic principles. 

In addition, the Joint Action Committee, comprising organisations such as the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), and Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), has also endorsed the PFUJ’s protest call.

The committee declared the Peca amendments as a manifestation of the government’s “malicious intentions” to stifle freedom of expression.

The PFUJ’s statement further highlighted that efforts were underway to challenge the controversial amendments in court, with consultations already at an advanced stage.