Latest news with #PakistanElectronicCrimesAct
Business Recorder
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PPF expresses alarm over ban on 27 YouTube channels
KARACHI: The Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) expressed alarm over an Islamabad court's order to block 27 YouTube channels, which are operated by journalists, commentators, and political voices on allegations of spreading 'provocative and derogatory contents against state institutions and officials of state of Pakistan'. PPF urged the court to reconsider such a mass blanket ban. We urge the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and relevant authorities to respect due process and constitutional guarantees when handling digital content. PPF notes with alarm that the process of blocking these channels was initiated without giving the affected individuals the right to respond, raising concerns about transparency, due process, and the chilling effect on freedom of expression online. PPF reiterates that while the state may have need to address disinformation, any such action must be transparent, proportional, and respectful of fundamental rights. The unilateral silencing of critical voices through opaque legal processes threatens the democratic values of accountability and freedom of expression. An order from the Court of the Judicial Magistrate NCCIA Islamabad in response to an enquiry dated June 2, 2025, listed the names of 27 YouTube channels. These included channels operated by prominent journalists such as Matiullah Jan, Asad Ali Toor, and Ahmad Noorani; political commentators like Imran Riaz Khan, Siddique Jan, and Sabir Shakir; the official channel of the opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and its founder, Imran Khan; as well as several others. The written order stated that the content on these channels constitutes offences punishable under the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act and other penal laws of Pakistan. It directed the Head or Officer In-Charge of the Security Department / Custodian of Records at Google LLC to block and remove the specified YouTube channels. According to news channel, an NCCIA sub-inspector had informed the judicial magistrate in Islamabad that under PECA, they were conducting an enquiry into 'YouTube channels who are involved in disseminating and propagating fake and misleading information against the state Institutions which is likely to cause fear, panic, disorder or unrest in the general public or society along with defamatory and fake remarks/information, which violates the privacy and harms the dignity of the officials of state institutions.' He said that they were found sharing 'highly intimidating, provocative and derogatory contents against state institutions and officials of state of Pakistan,' a 'source of publicly disseminating/propagating false, misleading and fake information against the state institutions/officials.' He said the suspects had 'attempted to provoke the general public and armed forces personnel by trying to create a feeling of ill-will among pillars of the state,' the channel reported. YouTube has begun notifying affected channel owners. A notice sent to journalist Asad Toor stated: 'We have received a legal removal request citing the court order dated 24 June 2025 in Enquiry No. 717/2025, seeking blocking of your channel [… ] A copy of the court order is attached for your reference. You may choose to act on the said content in terms of the aforesaid court order. If you fail to do so, as per our local law obligations, we may comply with the request without further notice to you.' The Press Association of the Supreme Court of Pakistan strongly condemned the move, describing it as a violation of constitutional rights. The Association stated that journalists were denied a fair hearing and described the order as a form of 'economic strangulation.' The statement called on the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take immediate notice. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said they were greatly concerned by the court directive, which they said came following a complaint by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).'The wholesale blocking of entire channels—rather than addressing specific instances of unlawful or hateful speech in accordance with due process—conflates dissent with criminal activity,' HRCP said. The FIA issued a statement that news reports that the judicial magistrate's order to the FIA to close the YouTube channels was 'completely baseless and inaccurate,' adding that the NCCIA was now fully operational and the court order was issued on NCCIA's request. Currently, most of the YouTube channels remain accessible in Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PHC questions FIR in PECA case
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has issued notices to the federal government and other relevant authorities, seeking a response regarding the registration of an FIR against a local lawyer under the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). A two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Abdul Fayyaz heard the case. During the proceedings, Justice Syed Arshad Ali questioned the legal basis of the FIR, remarking, "How can the police register a case under the PECA Act when it falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)? How can an SHO file such a case?" The petitioner, Advocate Roman Shah, appeared before the court. Justice Arshad Ali asked him why the FIR had been registered. Shah responded that he was unaware of the specific allegations and only knew that it had been filed under PECA. Justice Abdul Fayyaz noted, "The PECA Act falls within FIA's domain. How did the SHO register the FIR?" Justice Arshad Ali further added, "If the matter is within FIA's jurisdiction, then the SHO has no authority to register such a case." The petitioner informed the court that he had already secured interim bail. The Assistant Attorney General told the bench that the FIR was based on a social media post made from the petitioner's account, allegedly targeting a senior official of a security agency. Justice Arshad Ali questioned the petitioner's actions, asking, "Why do you share such content that creates problems?" In response, Advocate Roman Shah denied ownership of the account, stating, "This is not my account. Nowadays, fake accounts are created using other people's photos. I have no knowledge of this post." Following the hearing, the court issued notices to the federal government and other respondents, directing them to submit their replies.
Express Tribune
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Lawyers demand release of Imran Khan
A lawyers' convention held in Lahore on Saturday demanded the immediate release of former prime minister Imran Khan and political workers as it urged that all national issues be resolved through dialogue, while calling for avoiding the use of force. A declaration issued after the convention organized by the Lahore High Court Bar and the Lahore Bar's All Pakistan Lawyers Convention also demanded that all political workers "who have been subjected to enforced disappearances outside the constitutional and legal framework" be immediately released. The convention also strongly condemned the recent amendments to the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), stating that these changes violate fundamental rights — freedom of expression and press. "The lawyers also express solidarity with journalists and media workers across Pakistan who are struggling for freedom of speech," the declaration added. The convention also defended Pakistan's rightful claim to water under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which India unilaterally suspended after a militant attack in held Kashmir on April 22. "The declaration strongly condemns India's attack on Pakistan's sovereignty. The prompt response of the Pakistan Armed Forces, especially the Pakistan Air Force, is highly appreciated," it added. Addressing the convention, senior lawyer Salman Akram Raja earlier said lawyers carry the great responsibility to tell the people that their vote was stolen in the February 2024 elections. "A system built on lies has been imposed on us. The 26th Constitutional Amendment is part of that falsehood. After rigging the elections, there was an attempt to control our courts," he said. Raja, who belongs to Imran Khan's PTI, said those who rigged the elections cannot tolerate democracy in this country. He said for 78 years, democracy has repeatedly been attacked.
Express Tribune
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt initiates talks on canals controversy
The government initiated face-to-face talks with stakeholders in Sindh regarding the Indus canals issue. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, while a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) delegation visited protesting lawyers in Babarloi, Khairpur district. According to Express News, Shah met with Shehbaz at the Prime Minister'd House, where he expressed concerns about the proposed construction of six new canals on the Indus river. Sources said both sides shared their respective positions on the matter. Earlier in the day, PML-N Sindh President Bashir Memon visited the protesting lawyers who had blocked the National Highway in Babarloi, Khairpur, and held talks with Karachi Bar Association (KBA) President Aamir Nawaz Warraich and other lawyer leaders in an effort to end the sit-in. The latest development is seen as a follow-up to the contacts initiated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's Adviser on Political Affairs with various political parties to address the widespread protests across Sindh. Memon and Rana Sana had reached out to Sindh Bar Council President Barrister Sarfaraz Metlo by phone, offering to initiate dialogue. Rana Sanaullah also spoke with Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon and various nationalist party leaders. The negotiations between the protesting lawyers and the PML-N delegation concluded in Sukkur, according to sources. The lawyers presented four demands to the federal government representatives, with the cancellation of the canal project being the top priority. Other demands included concerns over corporate farming, the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), and the 26th constitutional amendment. The PML-N delegation invited the lawyers to meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The lawyer accepted the offer and a 14-member delegation would meet Shehbaz, it was agreed. "Our key demand is the issuance of a notification of scrapping the canal project. Our sit-in will continue until that happens. It would be ideal if the prime minister comes to Sukkur for the talks," Warraich said. Memon stated that they had received the lawyers' four-point list, which would be presented to the prime minister. "The next meeting will be held directly between the lawyers and the prime minister, where all matters will be resolved," he said, expressing hope for a positive outcome. Meanwhile, PML-Functional leader, Sardar Abdul Rahim, told reporters in Ranipur that Memon visited the protest site with a message from his party leadership. "The legal fraternity responded clearly: cancel the canal project, issue the notification, and then we will talk," he said.
Express Tribune
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Bilawal credits PPP for softening Peca law
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the original draft of the recent amendments to Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) was very strict, but his party suggested many changes to dilute it, Express News reports. In an interview after addressing the Oxford Union, the PPP chairman stated that the PPP has always been against the original draft of Peca law, adding that former prime minister Imran Khan was the first to try such a harsh legislation. The government strengthened Peca with new amendments to tackle fake news and unlawful online content. The proposed Electronic Crimes Prevention (Amendment) Act 2025 introduced severe penalties, including up to three years in prison and fines of Rs2 million for spreading disinformation. Bilawal stated that the Peca law was not an ideal law, but it was significantly better than the initial version that was proposed. He added that the law had been improved after consultations. He said that the original draft included even harsher penalties, such as a 30-year sentence. "The original draft of Peca was very harsh. Many amendments were made to the act only because of the hard work and efforts of the PPP," he said. He acknowledged that "Pakistan faces various challenges, as democracy is not strong in Pakistan," he added. He reiterated that the PPP played a role in improving the Peca law and ensuring that it did not undermine democracy. He also defended the 26th Constitutional Amendment, noting that while it had been modified from its original form, it still played a crucial role in strengthening democracy.
