The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called on the Supreme Court of Pakistan to urgently review the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), citing what it says are escalating threats to press freedom and the safety of journalists in the country.
In a letter addressed to Chief Justice — and also sent to the prime minister, the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court, and the president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) — the IFJ said that media professionals in Pakistan are facing mounting dangers while performing their professional duties.
Earlier this year, the National Assembly passed a set of amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) under a supplementary agenda, significantly expanding the government’s authority to regulate online content and penalise digital offences. PECA (Amendment) Act 2025 included provisions for the formation of a Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA), which will be empowered to remove online content, restrict access to prohibited material, and impose penalties on individuals who share such content.
The amendments also broadened the definition of “social media platforms” to encompass tools and software used to access these platforms. The revised law now extends its jurisdiction to include websites, applications and various communication channels. As part of the legislative changes, the FIA Cybercrime Wing is to be disbanded and replaced with a stricter framework of enforcement. Under the new rules, individuals sharing expunged material from parliamentary or provincial assemblies on social media could face imprisonment of up to three years along with a fine of Rs2 million.
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“Journalists are being subjected to legal cases, harassment, and threats under the PECA law,” the federation stated, adding that Pakistan’s government is a signatory to international conventions such as those of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations, which obligate it to protect fundamental rights.
The IFJ noted that recent amendments to PECA have granted the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) powers to act without a formal complaint — a move it warns could be used to silence dissent and target journalists arbitrarily.
“These powers pose a serious risk of suppressing independent journalism and freedom of expression,” the letter said, urging the top court to direct the government to amend the law in consultation with PFUJ and other relevant stakeholders.
The federation also expressed concern over the bypassing of high courts through direct appeals to the SC, calling it a “circumvention of judicial process.”
In its letter, the IFJ reported that at least seven journalists have been killed in Pakistan over the past year, with no perpetrators convicted in cases involving attacks or threats. The latest Press Freedom Report, it said, documented 34 violations, including physical assaults, harassment, online hate campaigns, and intimidation.
Read more: Back to the cave: Where does PECA take us?
Media workers, the IFJ said, also face systemic challenges such as non-payment of wages, unlawful dismissals, and significant security risks. Furthermore, legal barriers to unionization have been reinforced by recent state legislation, undermining workers’ rights.
“Media professionals are being deprived of the right to unionize, and they do not have equal access to justice in the courts,” the letter read.
The IFJ revealed it has dispatched two fact-finding missions to Pakistan, where representatives met with journalists, media owners, PFUJ leadership, and human rights advocates. The federation said it supports PFUJ’s ongoing legal efforts, including a petition filed in the Islamabad High Court, which is still awaiting a final decision.
Underlining the urgency of the situation, the IFJ appealed to the Chief Justice to immediately initiate a comprehensive judicial review of PECA, especially the amendments that grant sweeping powers to the FIA.
“Immediate action must be taken to protect press freedom under Article 19 of the Constitution,” the federation concluded.
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