President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari has decided to delay signing the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) following concerns raised by journalists. The Parliamentary Reporter Association (PRA) expressed its opposition to the PECA Act through Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who reached out to the President. He urged the President to delay signing the bill until the concerns of journalists are adequately addressed.
Sources indicate that President Zardari has agreed to postpone the bill at the request of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, ensuring that journalists’ concerns are addressed before proceeding. Discussions between Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and journalist organizations are ongoing, with a meeting between the Interior Minister and the PRA expected soon.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has also voiced concerns about the lack of consultation with stakeholders. PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman assured journalists of her party’s support in backing any amendments proposed by media bodies. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari echoed these concerns, emphasizing the importance of consulting journalists’ organizations to forge a consensus.
In response to the recent amendment in the PECA Act, the joint action committee of media bodies staged a protest demonstration in front of the Karachi Press Club. Representatives from various media organizations, civil society groups, trade unions, lawyers’ groups, and teachers joined and supported the protest1.
The PECA Act, enacted in 2016, aims to address cybercrime and regulate electronic communication in Pakistan. However, journalists and media organizations have raised concerns about its implications on press freedom and freedom of expression. The proposed amendments introduce severe penalties for spreading disinformation and establish a Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA) to regulate social media platforms and remove unlawful content.