Islamabad, July 30, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Hundreds of journalists and media professionals in Pakistan have opposed the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Amendment 2025, arguing that the legislation undermines constitutional guarantees of free speech and is increasingly being used to curb press freedom.
According to a report published by the European Times, nearly 600 journalists and media practitioners gathered in Islamabad under the banners of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ), where they unanimously called for a review of the amended law.
The participants maintained that the legislation is incompatible with the constitutional right to freedom of expression and expressed concern over what they described as a deteriorating environment for independent journalism in the country. The convention also highlighted issues including unsafe working conditions, declining wages, intimidation of journalists and damage to professional reputations.
The report said concerns over PECA have widened beyond the media fraternity, with journalists describing the law as a tool that has evolved from cybercrime legislation into an instrument for restricting critical reporting and public commentary.
Citing data from the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), the report noted that at least 233 incidents involving journalists were documented between January 2025 and April 2026. These included 67 assaults, 67 criminal complaints, 11 arrests, 11 detentions and three reported abductions. Of the criminal complaints recorded during the period, 34 were filed under provisions of the PECA law.
The report further stated that notices and summonses issued by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency have increasingly followed reporting considered sensitive by authorities. Rights groups and media organisations, it added, believe the law is being used to discourage scrutiny of influential institutions and public officials.
The report also highlighted the economic pressures facing Pakistan’s media industry. It cited the Pakistan Press Foundation as saying that government advertisements were withheld from leading English-language daily Dawn, describing the move as an attempt to exert financial pressure on the newspaper.
In another case cited by the report, journalist Benazir Shah alleged that an AI-generated video targeting her was circulated online through an account followed by Pakistan’s federal information minister. The report said such incidents reflected growing concerns over online harassment, particularly against women journalists.
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