IFJ Demands Urgent Supreme Court Review of PECA Amendments

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called for an immediate review of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) by Pakistan’s Supreme Court (SC), citing its threat to press freedom and journalist safety. The 2025 amendments, which expand government control over online content, have sparked alarm among media advocates. This article examines the IFJ’s appeal and its implications for Pakistan’s democratic freedoms.

On July 14, 2025, the IFJ sent a letter to Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, also addressing the Prime Minister, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice, and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President, urging a judicial review of PECA’s recent amendments. “Journalists face legal cases, harassment, and threats under PECA,” the IFJ stated, noting 34 press freedom violations, including seven journalist killings in the past year, according to their report. The amendments, passed via a supplementary agenda in the National Assembly, established the Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA), empowering it to remove online content and impose penalties. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) gained authority to act without formal complaints, a move the IFJ warned could “silence dissent and target journalists arbitrarily.”

The IFJ’s appeal, echoed by PFUJ’s ongoing IHC petition, highlights PECA’s vague provisions, such as criminalizing “fake news,” which critics argue enable censorship. Journalist Asad Ali Toor posted on X, “The IFJ calls for urgent SC review of PECA to protect press freedom,” reflecting widespread concern. The amendments bypass high courts by directing appeals to the SC, reducing judicial oversight and raising fears of executive overreach. The IFJ emphasized Pakistan’s obligations under International Labour Organization (ILO) and United Nations conventions, urging amendments in consultation with media stakeholders to safeguard Article 19’s free speech protections.

This push for review underscores a broader struggle for press freedom in Pakistan, where PECA has been criticized for targeting journalists and activists. With the SC’s intervention sought, the outcome could shape the balance between national security and democratic rights, as media advocates demand accountability to prevent further erosion of free expression.