Tarar says govt ready for discussion on Peca tweaks

• Tarar says act was created to stop deepfakes and fake news. 
• No one is talking about the clauses, says information minister.
• Journalists to be "included" in Social Media Protection Authority.

ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE: Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar stated on Friday that the administration was ready to discuss, if any, contentious clause in the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) law, The News reported.

Speaking to the media, Tarar said that the act was created to stop deepfakes and fake news on social media, and that the parliament thought legislation was required to stop social media abuse.

"This is a good law, it will be helpful in stopping the ongoing propaganda on social media," he said, adding that there was always a way out for consultation and enhancement.

"What Peca clause is controversial? Let's face it, we are ready for improvement. There is protest, but no one is talking about the clauses," the minister stated.

While rules under the Peca Act had not yet been drafted, he noted that the Council of Complaints also had an appeal right. He claimed that after the Peca tweaks were approved by the parliament, the president signed it into law. He stated that while there was opposition to the legislation, nobody was talking about its provisions.

The minister stated that journalists associated with press clubs or journalistic organisations will be included in the Social Media Protection Authority, which will be composed after nominations from the private sector. Additionally, he also said that media persons and IT professionals had been incorporated in the tribunal and there was an immense clarity about the appeal as the tribunal was required to pass an order within 24 hours.

Tarar said journalists or a citizen could lodge a case against the order in the high court.

He maintained that the right to appeal existed in the Supreme Court as well, as its rules were yet to be made and there was a scope for consultation in it and all stakeholders would be taken along in the consultation process.

“When something is made, rules are also made for its implementation. We should move forward with the preparation and consultation of rules. If there is any controversial provision in this act, bring it to the fore. We are ready for discussion,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, talking with Shahzad Iqbal in Geo News Programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, Parliamentary leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Irfan Siddiqui said that journalists’ concerns on Peca Amendment Act, should have been seen. “I am with the journalists on this matter,” he said.

He admitted that the government had done it in a haste which should not have been. “I am saying this on record that the journalists should have been consulted, their concerns should be removed and where they think that things be corrected, it should have corrected,” he said.

He said that the law that was to be made with the consultation now became controversial.

“Protests are being staged against Peca but nobody is discussing the provisions,” he added.

Earlier, the journalists and media bodies under the umbrella of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) observed a black day on Friday with nationwide protests against the recent controversial amendments to the PECA 2016.

To record their protest, black flags were hoisted at press clubs across the county and on the union’s offices, while journalists wore black armbands.

The Peca (Amendment) Bill 2025 received assent from President Zardari on Wednesday amid uproar over the contentious amendments by the opposition and journalist fraternity. Earlier, the bill was rushed through both houses of the parliament.

The black day was marked on the call of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and endorsed by the JAC — comprising the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), All Pakistan Newspapers Society, Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) and Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND). The JAC said that the controversial bill was approved without listening to journalist organisations and the stakeholders.

In Karachi, journalist bodies, politicians and the legal fraternity denounced the recent amendments to the cybercrime laws. Addressing an event organised by the Karachi Press Club, former Senate chairman Raza Rabbani said the contentious Peca amendments reflected the rapidly diminishing space for democratic norms and debate in the country.

In addition to staging a protest demonstration outside the KPC, journalists hoisted a black flag at the club. They urged the government to withdraw the controversial law.

Meanwhile, taking to X, renowned journalist Hamid Mir revealed that a grand alliance of media, lawyers and human rights bodies had been established to resist the new “draconian” law aimed at silencing the voices of dissent in the country.

Addressing a protest demonstration at the National Press Club in Islamabad, PFUJ President Afzal Butt hailed the journalist community for observing the black day across the country and in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

He warned the government: “If you think the voice of press freedom has become weak, then you should look at our history.”

Recalling the hardships faced by the journalists’ community during the tenure of former military ruler General Ziaul Haq, Butt said: “Our people were whipped and imprisoned but they did not compromise on the freedom of the press.”

“For us, it is a fight of now or never.”

The PFUJ president said that there would be “locks on cameras and pens” if this contentious law is accepted. Journalists were not the sole target of the contentious law, he said, adding: “The entire law is aimed at silencing smartphones.”

In addition to this, protest demonstrations were observed at the press clubs in Quetta, Lahore, Thatta, Larkana and other cities.

Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court (LHC) declined a plea to immediately halt the implementation of various sections of the Peca (Amendment) 2025. Justice Farooq Haider presided over the hearing on a petition, filed by journalist Jaffar Ahmad Yar, who challenged the amendments to Peca, arguing that they were unconstitutional and posed a serious threat to freedom of expression in the country.

During the proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel urged the court to suspend the implementation of the amended sections.

However, the court ruled that a decision would be made only after hearing the stance of all the parties involved.

The LHC subsequently issued notices to the respondents, seeking their replies within three weeks.