Petition filed in LHC against controversial PECA Amendment act 2025

LAHORE: A petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the newly-passed amendment act 2025 under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), which was passed in the Senate on Tuesday amidst opposition and journalist community outcry.

The bill was adopted Tuesday in the face of widespread opposition, including vehement objections from the journalism community.

The petition has been filed by Jafar Bin Yaar, a member of the Lahore Press Club, where the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, and others have been made respondents in the court, and the PECA Amendment be declared null and void.

Whilst undergoing scrutiny by journalists’ bodies and human rights organizations, the amendment to the PECA received a last-minute approval in the National Assembly on the pretense of a suspension of its rules for fast-track approval.

The PECA Amendment Act, 2025, raised concerns in particular among journalists and human rights groups due to the promulgation of its severe penalties against fake information, which cry aloud for the arrest of a person for up to three years of imprisonment and also a heavy fine.

According to Yaar, PECA had in the past been used as an infrequent instrument of oppression, and this bill had been tabled without taking into consideration opinions from relevant stakeholders and journalist organizations.

The petition stated that the approval of the PECA Amendment Bill would have a chilling effect on freedom of expression, and Yaar now petitions to the LHC for the amendment to be declared void.

‘ The Lahore High Court will now take up the pleas and rule on the PECA amendment act, 2025, holding quite a lot of repercussions for freedom of expression and media within Pakistan.’