Journalists vow to escalate protests against ‘contentious’ Peca amendments
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A member of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists demonstrates during a protest against amendments in the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) in Islamabad on January 28, 2025. — AFP
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LAHORE: Media Brotherhood has announced the siege of Parliament as they have planned to expedite a nationwide protest movement against controversial amendments to prevent the Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016.
In a statement, Secretary General of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Irshad Ansari, unveiled a nationwide rally and a plan to hold nationwide rallies and protests under the Joint Action Committee (JAC).
He also revealed that the purpose of the Media Brothers is to march a long march for Parliament House, sit -ins and “jail. [court arrest movement] Against Packa Tox. “
Ansari added, “The PECA Amendment Bill is a serious attack on the liberation of the press,” he added: “Trade unions, human rights organizations and civil society will jointly protest.”
Subsequently, the PFUJ and the Joint Action Committee will also transfer the High Court to challenge the amended law.
He further elaborated that rallies will be removed from all press clubs of all cities including Lahore, which will be merged with a massive rally at the Islamabad Press Club.
The Secretary General of PFUJ said that after proceeding from Islamabad Press Club to Parliament House, the participants of the Central Rally will besiege Parliament. However, in today’s statement, it did not reveal the date of the rally.
The development took place a day later when Federal Information Minister Ataullah Tarar invited the protesting journalists to discuss controversial clauses in the PECA law.
“There is always room for improvement in the laws,” Tarhar criticized, “said Tarr, criticizing, but no one was discussing the provisions against the PECA.
The invitation for the advice of Tarhar came when journalists and media were witnessing a black day under the umbrella of Jack.
To record their protests, black flags were hoisted in press clubs in the county and union offices, while journalists were wearing black assemblies.
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 new amendment reduced the punishment for spreading “fake information” online for three years, while the offender may also be fined up to Rs 2 million.
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, and the authority will issue an order after 24 hours on request.
The latest changes also say that the authority may need any social media platform to pay for the form and such fees in any way, in any way, in any way, in any way.
In addition, a new amendment also proposed a social media complaint council’s constitution to obtain and act complaints made by the parties against any violation of cybercrime law. –
It also proposed the establishment of social media protection tribunals. Each tribunal will consist of a chairperson, which will qualify for 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.
