‘Black Day’: Journalists hold countrywide protests against Peca tweaks
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Journalists hoisting black flag during protest against Peca act outside National Press Club in Islamabad on January 31, 2025. — INP
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Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), with a nationwide protest against recent controversial amendments to prevention of 2016, journalists and media agencies observed a black day on Friday under the umbrella of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) What
To record their protests, black flags were hoisted in press clubs in the county and union offices, while journalists were wearing black assemblies.
The PECA (Amendment) Bill 2025 received a consent on Wednesday with President Zardari on Wednesday during a riot on the controversial amendments by the opposition and the journalist community. Earlier, the bill was brought to the bill through both houses of parliament.
Black Day was marked on the call of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and was supported by Jack – in which the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), all Pakistan News Papers Society , The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) and Electronic Association are included. Media editors and news directors (Amand). The JAC viewed that a controversial bill was passed without listening to journalist organizations and stakeholders.
In Karachi, journalists, politicians and legal brothers condemned the recent amendments in cybercrime laws. Addressing a program organized by the Karachi Press Club, former Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani said that the controversial PECA amendments reflect the diminishing place for democratic principles and the rapidly decreasing space for debate in the country.
In addition to a protest outside the KPC, journalists hoisted a black flag at the club. He called on the government to withdraw controversial law.
Meanwhile, with X, leading journalist Hamid Mir revealed that a grand alliance of media, lawyers and human rights organizations has been formed to silence the voice of disagreement in the country. Resistance to
Addressing a protest at the National Press Club in Islamabad, PFUJ President Afzal Butt welcomes the journalist community to observe black day and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). What
He warned the government: “If you think the voice of the freedom of the press has weakened, you should look at our history.”
Recalling the difficulties facing the journalists’ community during the period of former military ruler General Ziawal Haq, Butt said: “Our people were whipped and imprisoned, but they did not compromise on the freedom of the press.”
“For us, it’s a fight now or never”
The president of the PFUJ said that if this controversial law was accepted, there would be “locks on cameras and pen”. He said journalists were not the only target of controversial law, adding: “The purpose of the whole law is to silence smartphones.”
In addition, protests were held in the press clubs of Quetta, Lahore, Thatta, Larkana and other cities.
‘The Government Packa is ready to discuss amendment’
Reacting to the protests of journalists, Minister of Information Ataullah Tarar has said that the government is ready to talk to media agencies on the controversial provisions of the Act.
He called on the media body to divide the controversial parts of cybercrime laws with the government, saying: “There is always room for improvement in the laws.”
“There is a protest against the PECA but no one is discussing these provisions,” he added.
The controversial packa modification
The recent amendments to the country’s cybercrime laws include new definitions, establishing regulatory and investigative agencies, and severe fines for spreading “false” information.
The amendment to these news reduced the punishment for spreading “fake information” online for three years, while the offender may also be fined up to Rs 2 million.
“Whoever deliberately exposes any information through any information system or transmits any information, which he knows or is the reason to believe it or because he is a liar Or is fake and is likely to create or create a sense of fear, panic or disorder or unrest. Or can increase with both, “Read Section 26A of the Act.
Meanwhile, the new amendments also proposed the establishment of the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA), the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and the Social Media Protection Tribunal.
In addition, it states that anyone can approach the authority to remove or withhibit access to such information “angry and incorrect information” and the authority will issue an order after 24 hours on request. –
According to the Act, the authority should consist of chairperson and eight other members, of which the Secretary of the Interior, the PEMRA chairman and the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) chairman or any member of the PTA. He added, “In addition to former offspring members, the chairperson and five members will appoint the federal government for an unstable period of years directly.”
The latest changes also say that the authority may need any social media platform for any way, form and such fees in any way, in any way.
It added that in addition to the requirements of the Act, the additional terms or the desired desired as appropriate can also be fixed while joining the social media platform list.
The new amendment states that the authority will have the option to issue instructions to the social media platform for removing or removing the content online if it is against Pakistan’s ideology.
Inflammation with the law, to take the law into their hands, to force, to intimidate, to intimidate or to terrorism, frightening the public, individuals, groups, communities, government officials and institutions.
Provokes public or public section to damage public or private property
Forcing or threatening the section of the people or the public, thus prevents them from advancing their legal trade and disrupting urban life.
Increase hatred and contempt on religious, sectarian or ethnic grounds.
In violation of any applicable law, porn or porn contains anything
Are known for fake or wrong or there are plenty of reasons to believe that it may be fake or false beyond a reasonable suspicion
The judiciary, the armed forces, the parliament or the members of the Provincial Assembly, are prejudiced against anyone.
Or promote and encourage other types of violence against terrorism and state or its institutions.
In addition, the new amendments also suggested the constitution of a social media complaint council to obtain and take complaints made by the parties to violate any provision of cybercrime law.
It also proposed the establishment of social media protection tribunals. Each tribunal will consist of a chairperson, which will be eligible to be a High Court judge, a journalist with a press club, and a software engineer.
The tribunals will have to resolve the cases within 90 days, which allows the Supreme Court to appeal within 60 days.
It also proposed the establishment of an investigative agency to be called the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) for investigating, investigating and prosecuting crimes described under this Act.
