By: Naseebullah Khan
PECA, the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act was passed in 2016 during the PLM N government that contained 7 chapters. It has been amended through an ordinance. The current amendment has increased sentence for fake news from 2 years to 5 years nonbailable. It further says that a trial ought to be completed in 6 Months. If it is not completed in the prescribed time, then the high court will ask the judge about the delay. And If the court is not satisfied, the court can take action over the delay. The amendment in section 20 further says that by the individual it means a company, institution, or organization.
The act also articulates that defaming individuals or institutions on social media would be an offense along with publishing unlawful online content and violation of the Privacy of the people. Moreover, it also contains cybercrime, promotion of terrorism, online fraud, and child pornography as crimes.
Journalists and analysts fear that this act will be used for selectively targeted people who oppose government policies. A pertinent criticism on the amendment has been pointed out that Parliament has been bypassed and the act has been amended through presidential ordinance.
The HRCP along with all media organizations have rejected it by calling it a draconian law that will suffocate freedom of speech and expression and retorted it unconstitutional. They opine that since 2019, two dozen journalists have been charged in PECA acts.
Dissent has always been a sign of a healthy society. Killing and choking the voices at a juncture when the country is in the clinches of numerous challenges this act will prove to be more disastrous.