The Freedom Network's annual report, released ahead of World Press Freedom Day, describes the amendments to PECA, enacted in 2025, as a critical tool for curbing dissent and targeting journalists. The law, originally intended to combat cybercrime, has been weaponized to criminalize lawful expression, creating a climate of fear among journalists who are compelled to self-censor to avoid legal repercussions. Notably, the report cites 58 legal cases against media professionals linked to PECA provisions, alongside high-profile convictions of human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha as examples of the law's chilling effect on free speech.
POLITICSPublished 29 Apr 2026 • Published 16h ago • Updated 11h ago
PECA Amendments Fuel Media Freedom Crackdown in Pakistan
75% NEGATIVE
A recent report by Freedom Network highlights a significant decline in media freedom in Pakistan, primarily due to the amended Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The report documented 129 verified violations against journalists from April 2025 to March 2026, indicating a troubling trend of suppression and self-censorship among media professionals.
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