Islamabad, December 24: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Wednesday organised a roundtable discussion in Islamabad to highlight the shrinking space for press freedom and digital expression in the country, with a particular focus on the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. Speakers at the meeting described the law as increasingly suffocating and warned that its amendments have deepened restrictions on journalists and ordinary citizens alike.
Participants stressed that the expanded scope of PECA has enabled harassment and intimidation, especially through investigative agencies. According to HRCP, several attendees shared personal experiences of being targeted under the law. One journalist recounted threats and pressure from officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), raising serious concerns about corruption, misuse of authority, and the absence of accountability within enforcement bodies.
Addressing the gathering, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Afzal Butt reaffirmed the need for principled resistance to laws that curtail fundamental rights. He called for direct dialogue with state authorities to clearly differentiate between legitimate regulation and outright repression of free expression.
Veteran journalist and HRCP Council member Nasir Zaidi observed that Pakistan’s approach to freedom of speech has historically been restrictive. He noted that laws have often been designed to control narratives rather than safeguard constitutional freedoms.
Journalist Akbar Notezai highlighted the situation in Balochistan, stating that newspapers there rely heavily on government advertisements, making editorial independence increasingly difficult. Another journalist, Matiullah Jan, warned that the involvement of multiple security agencies in FIA-led PECA investigations could further open the door to abuse and arbitrary action.
Lawyers and journalists, including Saqib Bashir and Asad Toor, emphasised the importance of coordinated, evidence-based litigation in courts across the country to challenge PECA-related cases. However, they argued that legal action alone is insufficient and must be complemented by public debate and collective resistance.
Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi supported the call for nationwide opposition to laws that undermine press freedom. Concluding the roundtable, former senator and HRCP Council member Farhatullah Babar proposed the creation of pro bono legal teams to address due process violations under PECA and urged structured engagement with political parties. He also suggested publicly identifying officials responsible for abusing the law, a proposal endorsed by Rawalpindi Journalists Union President Tariq Ali.
