logo
IHC to resume PECA hearing on Sept 18

IHC to resume PECA hearing on Sept 18

Express Tribune6 days ago
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has scheduled hearing on the petitions challenging the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes (PECA) Amendment Act 2025.
Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas will take up the petitions on September 18.
Earlier, Justice Minhas had held a hearing on July 7, during which the arguments had begun but the court did not set the next hearing date at that time—which has now been announced.
The petitions have been filed by the PFUJ, television anchors, and the Islamabad High Court Journalists Association. In the previous hearing, Dr Yasir Aman, the lawyer for PFUJ, presented arguments and is expected to continue them at the next hearing as well.
The National Assembly on January 23 of this year amended the country's cybercrime law — PECA, 2016 — granting the government expanded powers to regulate and control social media platforms amid protest by journalists and right activists.
Several groups and individuals later filed petitions against the amended law in different high courts of the country including the IHC.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Justice sought for madrassa student killed by teacher
Justice sought for madrassa student killed by teacher

Express Tribune

timea day ago

  • Express Tribune

Justice sought for madrassa student killed by teacher

Renowned social activist and Zindagi Trust founder Shehzad Roy has called for justice in the tragic death of 14-year-old Farhan, who was allegedly beaten to death by a teacher at a madrassa in Swat district of Khyber-Pakhtunlhwa. In a video message shared on social media, Roy condemned the act and urged parents and students to speak out against corporal punishment in all educational institutions. Referring to the now-defunct Section 89 of the Pakistan Penal Code - which previously allowed teachers to use physical punishment for a child's "benefit" - Roy stated that such legal cover for abuse no longer exists. He stressed that no teacher has the right to hit a student, whether in a school or madrassa, and that any such act is now a punishable offense under the law. "Farhan, a young student from Khwazakhela, lost his life to a teacher's brutality. This cannot and will not go unpunished," Roy said. He added that his purpose in making the video was not just to highlight Farhan's case, but to help prevent similar tragedies in the future. Roy explained that Zindagi Trust had filed a constitutional petition against Section 89 in the Islamabad High Court. The chief justice ruled in favour of the petition, declaring the law unconstitutional. "This law was repeatedly misused," Roy said, citing past incidents where students suffered permanent injuries or died due to violent beatings by teachers. He criticised the culture of silence and impunity surrounding such abuse, urging children to confide in their parents and for families to report such incidents without fear. "Some teachers still defend their violence by saying it was for the child's good - but this is nothing short of cruelty," he said. Roy also thanked the K-P police chief for arresting the teacher accused in Farhan's death. In the end, he appealed to society: "We all share the responsibility to protect our children and to ensure that no more lives are lost to such senseless violence."

Senators decry judicial overreach
Senators decry judicial overreach

Express Tribune

time3 days ago

  • Express Tribune

Senators decry judicial overreach

A 12-member panel, headed by Adviser to PM on NHLH Irfan Siddiqui, was constituted by PM. PHOTO: FILE Listen to article The Senate on Friday took exception to the Islamabad High Court's (IHC) move to issue stay orders on matters under discussion in parliamentary committees. Terming it a serious breach of privilege, the lawmakers called for the matter to be referred to the Senate's Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges. They also urged that the attorney general be summoned to explain the judiciary's overreach into parliamentary affairs. During the session, chaired by Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) objected to the stay orders issued by the IHC and Lahore High Court (LHC) against upper house proceedings. "I have never seen stay orders against parliamentary proceedings before. This should be taken seriously," he said, urging the Senate to summon the attorney general. "We never interfere in court proceedings, but judges issuing stay orders against committee actions is direct interference in Parliament. It's becoming a joke." Shahadat Awan supported the call. "We will seek input from the law minister and summon the attorney general for clarification and action." Senator Anusha Rehman said such actions violated Article 66 of the Constitution and constituted a breach of privilege. "Issuing a stay order against a member of Parliament is a direct attack on their privilege," she said, urging the House to refer the matter to the privileges committee and have those responsible appear before it. "No one can stop us from speaking in this House," she added. Senator Kamran Murtaza expressed concern over reports of lawyers being picked up in Balochistan. "If someone has committed a crime, they should be punished under the law," he said. The Presiding Officer responded that a report on the matter would be sought.

Govt urges crackdown on 'digital terrorism'
Govt urges crackdown on 'digital terrorism'

Express Tribune

time3 days ago

  • Express Tribune

Govt urges crackdown on 'digital terrorism'

The government on Friday urged the social media companies to immediately remove terrorist contents from their platforms using artificial intelligence (AI), stressing global cooperation against digital terrorism, including data sharing. Addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad with Minister of State for Law Barrister Aqeel Malik, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry emphasised that the removal of terrorist contents from social media did not intended to silence freedom of expression, but to build a wall against the menace. "I want to request social media operators and platforms to cooperate with us on the blockade and removal of accounts, taking measures to stop mirror accounts and to share information of account holders who are operating these accounts," Chaudhry said. Earlier this week, Chaudhry had highlighted how a terrorist group was using WhatsApp channels to "disseminate hateful content and harmful narratives". He told the joint presser that 2,417 complaints related to terrorism on social media were under consideration by the relevant authorities. "Pakistan is a bulwark against terrorism. We have detected hundreds of social media accounts linked to terrorism. Outfits like TTP, IS-K, BLA and BLF are spreading propaganda and recruiting youth through the social media," he said. On the occasion, Barrister Aqeel said that terrorism and propaganda were punishable offenses under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca). "Pakistan has demanded closure of terrorist accounts, automatic blocking, and access to data from social media platforms," he said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store