LHC rejects petition to stop implementation of sections of PECA 2025
Pakistan
The judge has issued notices to respondents
LAHORE (Dunya News) – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday turned down a petition seeking an order to stop the implementation of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2025.
LHC’s Justice Farooq Haider remarked that a decision regarding the stay order would be made after receiving the replies from the respondents.
The judge later issued notices to all parties and sought reply within three weeks on the petition filed by a journalist, Jaffar bin Yar.
The petitioner was represented by his lawyer Advocate Nadeem Sarwar in the high court.
He has named the Election Commission of Pakistan, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), and other parties as respondents.
The petitioner said the National Assembly approved the PECA Amendment Bill last week, adding that the lower house of parliament suspended its rules to fast-track the approval process of the bill.
He further argued that under the PECA laws, individuals can face up to three years of imprisonment and fines for spreading fake information.
The petitioner argued that the law had been misused in the past. With the addition of new penalties under the amendment act, it is feared that the country's already limited freedom will be further restricted.
He further said the controversial bill was introduced without consulting relevant stakeholders and journalist organisations, expressing fear that it would suppress the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution.
Calling the PECA Amendment Bill unconstitutional, he pleaded the court to declare it null and void.
