The Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting was told on Wednesday that 372 cases had been unlawfully registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) in the provinces, despite recent amendments barring provincial authorities from filing such cases.
The committee, which met here with Senator Ali Zafar in the chair, discussed multiple issues, including violence against journalists, and received briefings from officials of the Information Ministry and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
Officials informed the committee that following the amendments, only the NCCIA could register cases under PECA. However, they added, 373 cases have still been registered at the provincial level in violation of the law.
The committee was informed that a total of 1,214 cases had been registered nationwide under PECA, including 10 involving journalists. It was informed that no arrests have been made in the 19 cases filed in Islamabad, the officials added.
Committee members noted that the cases by the provinces were "wrong and illegal." The chair remarked, "All of these cases are illegal — now what do we do with them?" The committee subsequently formed a subcommittee to review the issue of unlawful case registrations.
The meeting also reviewed reports of financial fraud against parliamentarians. It was disclosed that nine National Assembly members had been deceived through fake calls and WhatsApp messages using the name of ruling party Senator Irfan Siddiqui.
The senator said he had lodged four complaints but no remedy was provided. The NCCIA reported that Rs1.3 million had been recovered, four arrests made, and efforts were under way to catch the main suspect. It added Rs10 million had been recovered in WhatsApp hacking cases.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Waqar Mehdi raised concerns over a state TV anchor's derogatory remarks against Sindhi people on social media. The members recommended that a case should registered against the anchorperson under PECA.
The NCCIA also reported 611 fraud and 320 harassment cases nationwide, while warning that illegally obtained SIMs were being used for terrorism. Senator Pervaiz Rasheed complained of threats after a Senate speech.
Journalist Tayyab Baloch how was manhandled by a political party supporters recently also appeared in the committee meeting. he journalist was asked to submit his demands in writing.
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