Senate body passes PECA bill

Express Tribune

27-01-2025

ISLAMABAD:
The Senate Standing Committee on Interior has approved the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2025 amid a storm of protest and outcry from opposition lawmakers and journalists who condemned the controversial legislation for curbing free speech.
The bill sailed through the committee amid walkouts and vocal dissent, sparking concerns that the government is tightening its grip on freedom of expression.
A report issued by Senator Faisal Rehman, chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, outlined the discussions held by Senators Shahadat Awan, Palwasha Khan, Dostain Khan Domki, Irfan Siddiqui, Naeema Ahsan and Umer Farooq.
Senator Karman Murtaza also attended as a special guest.
The report stated that the bill "primarily seeks to modernise the legislative framework for combating cybercrimes in Pakistan," while the interior secretary claimed it was designed to "protect the general public and to make the in-field act more effective to protect people's rights."
PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui supported the bill's intent but raised concerns about its potential to restrict freedom of speech, echoing PTI's policy objections. Despite these reservations, the committee passed the bill by a majority vote and recommended its passage in the Senate.
The Senate's official statement emphasised the committee's readiness to offer constructive suggestions for improvement. "The committee members unanimously agreed on the necessity of a robust law to prevent electronic crimes and ensure strict compliance. They highlighted that existing laws addressing pornography, child protection, and hate speech lack clear definitions," it stated.
The members also noted the urgency of addressing trolling and online abuse, expressing a commitment to refining the bill and formulating recommendations.
Earlier, tensions escalated when PTI Senator Ali Zafar attempted to speak on a point of order but was stopped by the deputy chairman. PTI members responded by banging desks, turning the chamber into a scene of disorder.
The opposition lawmakers subsequently staged a walkout in protest.
Journalists, protesting the PECA amendments, also exited the press gallery. In response, a delegation of senators, including members from PTI, PPP and JUI-F, visited the journalists to address their grievances.
Journalists condemn bill
On the other hand, journalists blasted the vague definition of "fake news" in the bill, arguing that it could lead to misuse. Clarifying that they were not against legislation addressing misinformation, they asserted that they found the current draft unacceptable.
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) announced a nationwide protest at 3 pm on Tuesday (today) against the bill.
In a press release, the PFUJ stated, "We had appealed to the government of Pakistan and elected representatives to consult all stakeholders before passing the amendments from the Senate of Pakistan. We reject these amendments, as they go against the spirit of the Constitution."
PFUJ President Afzal Butt criticised Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during a press conference, calling the amendments "a very big crime." He noted that the information ministry had indicated plans to consult stakeholders, but this was not done.
"We have decided that all the bodies in the Joint Action Committee (JAC) will approach their lawyers and go through the bill point-by-point with the government," he announced, requesting a week for this process.
The Anchors' Association also expressed its concerns in a letter to Senator Faisal Rehman, stating that the amendments appeared to be "more about intimidation, harassment and victimisation of critical voices on social media than any betterment of society."
The letter criticised the bill's rushed passage and highlighted three key concerns:
The bill's potential to foster fear and harassment instead of ensuring freedom of expression under Article 19 of the Constitution.
Equating fake news with heinous crimes, without clear distinctions between misinformation and criminal offences.
The association called for consultations to ensure that any legislation serves to regulate fake news without restricting constitutional freedoms.
PTI demands balanced legislation
Addressing a press conference, PTI Senator Ali Zafar declared the party's solidarity with journalists and human rights groups opposing the Peca amendments. He emphasised that stakeholders should have been consulted before introducing the bill in parliament.
"Our demand was straightforward and simple: that the government hear from every stakeholder and then make a decision on whether to pass the amendment," he said. "However, we were not given a chance and had no choice but to walk out in solidarity with the media and journalists."
Zafar acknowledged the issue of fake news but opposed censorship. "Fake news has been defined so broadly in this bill that if I were to speak against any institution or lawmaker, then they can label it fake news and it is a punishable offence," he said.
He called the amendments "unconstitutional and undemocratic," adding, "We demand the formation of a joint committee with equal representation and input from all stakeholders to refine the bill. This is how legislation is done."
Zafar warned that without such a committee, the opposition would continue its protest, asserting, "There must be a balance. We are against fake news but also against censorship."