In an effort to get the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2025 repealed, the Anchors Association has petitioned the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
Through Advocate Imran Shafiq and Advocate Riasat Ali Azad, president of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association, senior journalists Hamid Mir, Nasim Zahra, Adnan Haider, and Ameer Abbas have petitioned the court. According to the appeal, the bill seriously jeopardizes press freedom in Pakistan and violates fundamental rights.
PECA reforms are already being examined by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan is also considering a challenge to the PECA Amendment Bill 2025. The law was recently challenged by a civilian named Muhammad Qayyum Khan, who named the President, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Senate Chairman, and the Law Secretary as respondents. To hear the issue, he urged the Supreme Court to declare the changes unlawful and assemble a full bench.Many people are against the law, especially rights campaigners and journalists. The PECA Amendment Bill 2025 was adopted by President Asif Ali Zardari in spite of fierce resistance and journalistic protests.
The measure was previously approved by the Senate and National Assembly in conjunction with the Digital Nation measure 2025, which is still the focus of intense discussion. On behalf of the Interior Ministry, the legislation was introduced by Federal Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain and Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar.
The measure was opposed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), while it was backed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a coalition partner of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government.
The new laws, according to critics, increase government control over digital spaces, endangering press independence and freedom of expression. All eyes are on the judiciary’s position on PECA 2025 and its consequences for media freedom in Pakistan as court battles progress.
