Nationwide protests erupted across Pakistan on Tuesday as journalist bodies and the opposition strongly opposed the “controversial” Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Peca) (Amendment) Bill 2025.
The amendments, which had already passed through the National Assembly, were also approved by the Senate today. The government claims these changes are aimed at tightening the noose around those spreading misinformation and fake news on social media platforms.
During today’s session, the upper house approved the Peca (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024, which aim to establish a digital society, economy, and governance, amid commotion from the opposition benches.
Opposition parties and journalist organizations joined forces in protests across the country against the controversial amendments to the Peca law, criticizing the lack of clarity in legal terms like “fake news.” Media workers fear that the amended law will be used to target them and restrict press freedom.
Additionally, the media fraternity expressed their anger over the government passing the amendments without consulting or taking them into confidence.
Journalist bodies and civil society members held a protest against the Peca Amendment Bill 2025 in Islamabad, led by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) outside the National Press Club. Protesters marched towards D-Chowk with chains around their necks as a sign of protest, chanting slogans against the Peca Act.
The rally turned into a sit-in at D-Chowk. PFUJ President Afzal Butt clarified that they were not against regulations, but no one would be allowed to attack the country’s freedom of expression.
In Karachi, journalists, lawyers, and civil society members organized a joint protest, rejecting the modified law, terming it an assault on freedom of expression. Senior journalist Mazhar Abbas called the amendments a move against civilian rights and warned that if the government was serious about new regulations, they should be passed with consensus.
In the Karachi Press Club protest, the journalists chanted “No to Peca Act,” and former KPC President Saeed Sarbazi declared that the media would continue holding rallies and hunger strikes until the law is repealed.
Several prominent journalists, including Shahzad Iqbal of Geo News, condemned the amendments, asserting that they aimed to silence free speech and undermine democracy.
