WEB DESK: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has challenged the PECA Amendment Act 2025 in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
PFUJ President Afzal Butt has filed the petition through lawyer Imran Shafiq, calling the amendment an attack on press freedom. The petition argues that the law is unconstitutional and illegal, requesting a judicial review.
PFUJ states that the PECA Amendment Act restricts freedom of expression and increases government control. The petition urges the court to suspend the law, as it violates Articles 19 and 19A of the Constitution.
The petition also states that the law gives the government unlimited censorship powers and criminalises “fake news” without due legal process, violating global human rights and digital rights in Pakistan. Butt stressed that the regulatory authority under PECA has no constitutional standing.
LHC Hearing on petition against PECA Amendment Act 2025
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has accepted a new petition challenging the PECA Amendment Act 2025 for an initial hearing and has issued notices to the federal government and other parties. Earlier on January 31 the LHC had rejected a separate petition filed against newly passed act.
Justice Farooq Haider heard the petition filed by the Federal Union of Journalists through Raja Riaz. The petition names the Election Commission, PTA, and others as respondents.
Lawyer Shehbaz Akmal Jandran pointed out that that last week, the National Assembly fast-tracked the approval of the PECA bill by suspending its rules. One major tenet of the Act is that under the amendment, spreading false information could lead to three years in prison and fines.
The petition argues that PECA has been used as a tool for silencing voices in the past, and new punishments under the amendment will further restrict freedom. It claims the bill was introduced without consulting stakeholders and journalist organizations, severely impacting freedom of speech.
Similar to the IHC petition, this once also calls the PECA amendment unconstitutional, urging the court to declare it invalid. It also requests that any actions under the amendment be suspended until a final verdict is reached.