Islamabad:

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of media organizations has written a letter to the Senate’s Standing Committee for the Ministry of the Interior in which they express their reservations to the proposed changes to the law on the prevention of electronic crime, 2016 (PECA).

In the letter to the committee chairman, Senator Faisal Saleem Rahman, JAC noted that the changes to be introduced through the PECA (amendment) Bill, 2025 can have significant consequences for freedom of press and freedom of expression.

These changes, said, have been introduced without any consultation or discussion with relevant stakeholders, including media and journalism organizations.

It said that Jac – a representative body for all media organizations: PFUJ, CPNE, AEMEND, APNS and PBA – is not against the adoption of laws that regulate media in a way that is in line with democratic norms.

“But the process through which this amendment is promoted – rapidly and without meaningful engagement with stakeholders – contradicts the principles of justice and the spirit of democracy.

“Such an approach erodes confidence and gives rise to serious concerns about the intention of the bill, especially its impact on constitutional rights such as freedom of speech and freedom of press.”

Jac said that legislation of such significance must be formed through a transparent, participating process that ensures that concerns, objections and suggestions from all stakeholders are taken into account.

“To adopt this law in its current form, without addressing these issues, will inevitably be seen as an attempt to stifle the dissent and restrict freedoms guaranteed by Pakistan’s Constitution, which is neither acceptable nor justified in a democratic society .

Jac urged the committee chairman to give the representatives of JAC a hearing before the committee discusses the amendment. “We would like to express our serious concerns about certain aspects of this bill that seriously inhibit freedom of speech,” added it.