The Senate Standing Committee on Interior approved the contentious Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) amendment bill on Monday, despite strong objections from journalistic organizations.
The bill was passed during a session chaired by Senator Faisal Saleem, sparking heated debates. Media representatives raised concerns about potential threats to press freedom, criticizing the lack of consultation. The committee chair urged media organizations to submit written recommendations for a more detailed review of the bill.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui highlighted flaws in the legal process, recalling his own arrest under a rent law to illustrate how laws can be misused. Senator Kamran Murtaza argued that the bill was hastily advanced without sufficient deliberation or input from relevant stakeholders.
Defending the bill, the Interior Ministry Secretary stated it aims to protect the public from harmful online content. However, journalists countered that the bill’s ambiguous definitions, especially of “fake news,” left room for potential abuse. They stressed the need for safeguards and highlighted the lack of time provided for submitting amendments.
The Anchors Association and other media groups voiced their concerns, emphasizing that while they support measures to combat fake news, the current bill risks exacerbating existing issues. They called for greater involvement in shaping the legislation to ensure balanced and effective measures.
Participants in the committee meeting included Senators Kamran Murtaza, Irfan Siddiqui, Shaheed Awan, Omar Farooq, Palwasha Khan, and Mir Hassan Domki. Despite protests, the bill has been approved by the National Assembly and the Senate Standing Committee and will now proceed to the upper house for further consideration.
Journalist organizations, represented by the Joint Action Committee, have rejected the bill, accusing the government of neglecting meaningful dialogue on matters that directly impact press rights and freedoms.
