The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has asked the Supreme Court of Pakistan to urgently review the Law on the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (PECA), citing what it says that threats to freedom of the press and the safety of journalists in the country are increasing.
In a letter addressed to the President of the Supreme Court, and also sent to Prime Minister, the President of the Superior Court of Islamabad and the president of the Federal Union of Pakistan Journalists (PFUJ), the IFJ said that media professionals in Pakistan face growing hazards while performing their professional duties.
Earlier this year, the National Assembly approved a set of amendments to the Electronic Crime Prevention Law (PECA) under a complementary agenda, significantly expanding the government’s authority to regulate online content and penalize digital crimes. The 2025 Peca Law (amendment) included provisions for the formation of a Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA), which will be empowered to eliminate online content, restrict access to prohibited material and impose sanctions on persons who share said content.
The amendments also expanded the definition of “social media platforms” to cover tools and software used to access these platforms. The law reviewed now extends its jurisdiction to include websites, applications and several communication channels. As part of the legislative changes, the wing of cyber crimes of the FIA must be dissolved and replaced by a more strict framework of application. According to the new rules, people who share material eliminated from parliamentary or provincial assemblies on social networks could face the prison of up to three years along with a fine of RS2 million.
Read: The provinces were part of the case against the Peque amendments
“The journalists are subject to legal cases, harassment and threats under the PCA law,” said the Federation, added that the Pakistan government is a signatory to international conventions such as those of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the United Nations, which force them to protect fundamental rights.
The IFJ pointed out that the recent amendments to Peca have granted the powers of the Federal Research Agency (FIA) to act without a formal complaint: a measure that warns could be used to silence the dissent and attack journalists arbitrarily.
“These powers represent a serious risk of suppressing independent journalism and freedom of expression,” said the letter, urging the superior court to order the government to amend the law in consultation with PFUJ and other relevant stakeholders.
The Federation also expressed concern about the omitted of the superior courts through direct appeals to the SC, qualifying it as “the election of the judicial process.”
In his letter, the IFJ reported that at least seven journalists have been killed in Pakistan during the past year, without the perpetrators convicted in cases related to attacks or threats. The latest press release report, he said, documented 34 violations, including physical assaults, harassment, online hate campaigns and intimidation.
Read more: Back to the cave: Where does Peca lead us?
The media workers, said the IFJ, also face systemic challenges, such as the lack of payment of salaries, illegal layoffs and significant security risks. In addition, legal barriers to unionization have been reinforced by recent state legislation, undermining workers’ rights.
“Media professionals are being deprived of the right to unionize, and do not have the same access to justice in court,” said the letter.
The IFJ revealed that he has sent two research missions to Pakistan, where the representatives met with journalists, media owners, leadership of Pfuj and defenders of human rights. The Federation said it supports the legal efforts of PFUJ, including a request presented in the Superior Court of Islamabad, which is still waiting for a final decision.
Underlining the urgency of the situation, the IFJ appealed to the president of the president to immediately initiate a comprehensive judicial review of Peca, especially the amendments that grant sweeping powers to the FIA.
“Immediate measures must be taken to protect press freedom under article 19 of the Constitution,” the Federation concluded.
