Journalist fraternity, opposition protest against ‘controversial’ Peca amendments
Journalist Fraternity, Opposition Protest Against ‘Controversial’ PECA Amendments
Journalists and opposition political parties staged protests across major cities on Tuesday, expressing strong opposition to the recently proposed amendments to the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The demonstrations highlighted concerns over press freedom, digital rights, and potential misuse of the law.
According to protest organizers, the amendments could empower authorities to impose stricter control over online content, criminalize dissent, and restrict journalists’ ability to report freely. Demonstrators carried banners, chanted slogans, and called on the government to reconsider the changes in order to protect freedom of expression and democratic rights.
Opposition leaders also joined the protests, arguing that the amendments undermine citizens’ privacy and could be used to target political opponents. Legal experts noted that such changes, if enacted without proper safeguards, may compromise judicial independence and weaken transparency in governance.
Journalist associations demanded an inclusive review process with input from media representatives, civil society, and legal experts before any amendments are finalized. They stressed that a balanced law should address cybercrime effectively while upholding constitutional rights.
The government, however, has defended the amendments as necessary to combat cybercrime, misinformation, and online threats, assuring that safeguards against misuse are in place. The debate over the PECA amendments is expected to continue in parliament and public forums in the coming weeks.
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خلاصہ (اردو میں):
صحافی برادری اور حزبِ اختلاف نے پاکستان الیکٹرانک کرائمز ایکٹ (PECA) میں متنازع ترامیم کے خلاف مظاہرے کیے۔ مظاہرین کا کہنا ہے کہ یہ ترامیم صحافیوں کی آزادی اور عوامی اظہار رائے کو محدود کر سکتی ہیں۔
