The PECA Amendment Act 2025 has been challenged in the Lahore High Court. The petition names the federal government, represented by the Cabinet Division, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and others as respondents.
The petitioner argues that the new amendments to PECA introduce stricter penalties, severely curtailing remaining freedoms. The petition claims that the PECA Amendment Bill was introduced without consulting stakeholders and journalist organizations. It urges the court to declare the PECA Amendment Act unconstitutional and nullify it.
The petition was filed by journalist Jafar Yar, who contends that under the amended PECA, individuals found guilty of spreading fake information could face up to three years of imprisonment and fines. He asserts that these new penalties will eliminate little freedom of expression.
The petition further states that the PECA Amendment Bill was pushed through without input from stakeholders or journalist bodies, making it unconstitutional and in direct conflict with the constitutional right to freedom of expression. The petitioner has requested the court to declare the PECA Amendment Act unconstitutional and strike it down.
