HRCP calls for open debate on Peca amendments

The Pakistani Human Rights Commission (HRCP) joined the criticism of the Act on the Prevention of Electronic Crime (Amendment) of 2025, which calls for an open discussion on disputed amendments in the Senate after they have been approved by the National Assembly. HRCP expressed concern about the emphasis on “false or false reports” in Section 26-A of the Act and complained that the proposal would not sufficiently define “false messages”. If the law becomes a law, it could also be used to target political officials, human rights defender and journalists for criticizing state institutions. The statement comes at a time when the Chamber of Deputies approved the so much questionable amendments on Thursday, the already controversial law, which caused a strong response to both the opposition and the journalistic Brotherhood. Amendments propose the establishment of the Social Media Protection and Regulation (SMPRA), National Cyber ​​Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and Tribunal for Social Media Protection – which will handle cases within 90 days. . . Its aim is also to reduce the punishment for the spread of “false information” online to three years, with perpetrators at risk of a fine of up to 2 million Rs. If the bill is adopted, the competent authority will also authorize the authority to require any social media platform to apply for it in any way, in the form and payment of the prescribed fee. The termination of the prescribed three -year prison as “excessive” HRCP said today that the proposed legislation refers to vague results, such as “fear, panic or riots or unrest”. “[HRCP] reminds the government that digital freedoms have already been too regulated,” said the Office for Human Rights in the contribution to X. The statement also stated that this means that the appeal to the proposed tribunal for the protection of social media will go directly to the Supreme Court and that this tribunal will consist of members of the appointed by the government. The guard dog also reminded the government of excessive regulation of digital freedoms in the country. In addition to the HRCP amendment, the journalist bodies of the Committee (JAC) – including the Pakistan Federal Association of Journalists (PFUJ), ALL Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Pakistani newspapers (CPNE), Association Electronic Media (Aemend) and Pakistani, (CPNE) The Association of Transmitters (PBA) – announces that they will go to court and start a protest movement against the proposal. “This bill focuses not only on social media, but also on digital platforms of electronic and printed media to criminalize different views,” Jac said in a statement.