Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari ratified the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill 2025 (PECA) following its acceptance through the Senate and National Assembly. When the bill passed, journalists staged a protest inside parliament, which caused widespread protests against the new law.
PFUJ President Afzal Butt voiced disappointment about the presidential decision because his association had expected fair treatment before realizing the president provided no relief. He vowed that protests would keep going forward and the law would undergo judicial examination.
The proposed bill concentrates on controlling social media while leaving television channels and printed newspapers excluded from its reach, according to Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain. According to him, the existing law is fluid and capable of future refinement.
Leaders from opposition parties have issued unequivocal criticism of the new legislation. Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz denounced the legislation because he saw punishment measures outweighing any reform efforts. According to him, government authorities could exploit this law to silence critics even though members of Parliament showed uncertainty about having reviewed the bill when giving their approval. Director Aimal Wali Khan declared the legislation reveals authoritarian tendencies that suggest it functions to suppress free speech.
The PECA amendment faces ongoing criticism from journalists, opposition parties, and activists in digital rights because it has created major concerns about freedom of press and online expression within Pakistan.