LAHORE: Three additional cases have been filed under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2025 for spreading propaganda on social media against Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and state institutions.
According to the police, the cases were registered at Shahdara, Shahdara Town, and Kot Lakhpat police stations, under various serious charges, including sections of the PECA. The FIRs claim that the accused used artificial intelligence to create videos featuring Maryam Nawaz, which were allegedly designed to advance the agenda of anti-state elements on social media.
The FIRs further suggest that a specific political group was behind the creation of fake videos as part of a broader conspiracy to stir unrest. However, no arrests have been made in connection with the cases so far. Earlier this month, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader Shabbir Ahmed was arrested in Mansehra under PECA for delivering a speech against the government and state institutions on Kashmir Solidarity Day.
HRCP’s Concern Over PECA 2025
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed concern over the controversial PECA bill. The HRCP has called for a thorough debate on the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Senate, warning that its enforcement could lead to the targeting of journalists, political activists, and social campaigners.
The commission criticized the bill for restricting fundamental human rights and raised concerns over its focus on curbing fake or false news. The HRCP also labeled the proposed three-year jail term as excessively harsh.
