SWAT: A ceremony jointly organized by the Swat Press Club and The Awakening, a non-governmental organization focused on human rights, turned into a protest against the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (PECA) Amendment Act 2025.
The event, held at the Swat Press Club, drew attention to concerns over the Act’s implications on freedom of expression and human rights.
Irfan Hussain Babak, Director of The Awakening, and Niaz Ahmed Kan, President of the Swat Press Club, denounced the PECA Amendment Act 2025 as a blatant attempt to stifle freedom of expression and basic human rights. They emphasized that freedom of expression is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan, but the ruling class is trying to suppress it to conceal their failures.
Human rights activist Shaukat Saleem advocate shed light on the constitutional history of freedom of expression, highlighting that the current PECA Act is being challenged by human rights and journalistic organizations for being in conflict with the constitution. Saleem noted that these organizations have approached higher courts to contest the Act.
The PECA Amendment Act 2025 has sparked widespread criticism for its harsh penalties, including a three-year prison sentence and a fine of Rs. 2 million for broadcasting false news. SP Investigation Badshah Hazrat Khan, who participated in the ceremony, stressed that the state makes laws when necessary, but now it’s essential to present facts and evidence to citizens and media representatives.
The ceremony culminated in a protest by journalists from the Swat Press Club, who raised banners and shouted slogans demanding the government withdraw the PECA Amendment Act 2025. This protest is part of a broader backlash against the Act, with many advocating for its review or repeal.
