From Our Correspondent:Â
Islamabad, January 2025: President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the controversial amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016, despite strong opposition from journalists, media organizations, and human rights groups.
The amendments were passed by the Senate just a day earlier, triggering nationwide protests. Critics argue that the changes restrict freedom of expression, with media professionals calling it a direct threat to press freedom.
The opposition PTI has strongly condemned the move, accusing the government of rushing the bill through parliament. Meanwhile, the PPP, facing backlash for supporting the amendments, has hinted at possible revisions to address concerns raised by journalists.
International rights groups, including Amnesty International and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, have also raised alarms over the law’s impact on digital freedoms.
The amendments are expected to bring significant changes to Pakistan’s cyber laws, with concerns that they could be used to curb dissent and tighten control over online content.
