Lawyers, journalists unite against PECA

To observe black day today to protest PECA Amendment Act

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LAHORE/ISLAMABAD:

Terming the recently enacted PECA (Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act) Amendment Act as a 'black law,' lawyers and journalists have united to challenge the legislation in court. Additionally, the journalists' community has decided to lead a protest movement against the law by observing a 'Black Day' on Friday.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) announced that all press clubs and union offices nationwide would hoist black flags on Friday in protest against the PECA Amendment Act. Rallies will also be organized, and journalists will cover public and private events wearing black wristbands.

The Islamabad High Court Bar has also dubbed the PECA Amendment Act a 'black law' and an attempt to stifle free speech. The bar has demanded the repeal of the amendments, stating that the act contradicts the fundamental human right to freedom of speech. They vowed to challenge the amendments in the Islamabad High Court.

A resolution condemning the PECA Amendment Act was passed by the Islamabad High Court Bar, which termed it an effort to suppress the voices of journalists, social media users, and citizens. A press release issued by the IHC Bar President, Riasat Ali Azad, emphasized that the PECA amendments violate Articles 8 and 19 of the Constitution, which protect the right to freedom of expression. The IHC Bar also stated that the amendments would undermine independent reporting and dissent.

Meanwhile, lawyers from the Lahore Bar Association held a rally against the PECA Amendment Act, marching from Aiwan-e-Adl to the Lahore High Court.

Addressing the rally, Lahore Bar Association President Mubashir Rehman Chaudhry condemned the act, describing it as an example of human rights violations. He pointed out that the Supreme Court Bar Secretary had been suspended for speaking out against the act.

Senior lawyer and Senator Hamid Khan announced that the lawyers' fraternity would hold an All-Pakistan Convention on February 1. He criticized the government for weakening the judiciary, compromising the judicial system, and warned that lawyers must unite to protect the Constitution from further threats. He added, "What will people do if the judiciary becomes weak?" and stressed that the lawyers would not allow government representatives to violate the law.