Islamabad High Court Journalist’s Association (IHCJA) has filed a petition in Islamabad High Court and challenges the government’s recent changes to the controversial prevention of the Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

The petition claimed that the amendments are an “attack on freedom of press” and request a legal review. The petitioner’s lawyer has also asked the court to form a larger bench to hear the case.

Ihcja’s petition claimed that the PECA change proposals violate articles 19 and 19A in the Constitution, which protects freedom of speech and information. It also claimed that the law gives the government excessive censorship powers and violates digital rights.

In addition, the petition claimed that the legislative authority established under PECA lacks constitutional legitimacy.

Acting IHC High Court Sarfaraz Dogar instructed the case to be linked to other pending petitions before Justice Inam Amin Minhas, which will decide the request for a larger bench. The functioning Chief Justice also asked about the schedule of the case that has been postponed for two weeks.

The amended law that received the consent of President Asif Ali Zardari includes new definitions, the creation of regulatory bodies and stricter sanctions to spread “false” information.

The changes reduce the penalty for spreading fake news online to three years in prison and imposing fines of up to RS2 million. It also proposes the creation of social media protection and regulatory authority (SMPRA), National Cyber ​​Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and a protection of social media.

The changes strengthen persons who feel concerned about false information to turn to the authority for the removal or blocking of such content, with orders to be issued within 24 hours.

In addition, the law allows the authority to require social media platforms to register with it and establish a social media clutter to deal with complaints.

The changes also propose the creation of social media protection to resolve cases within 90 days, with appeals allowed to the Supreme Court within 60 days.