ANI
25 Feb 2025, 12:46 GMT+10
Islamabad [Pakistan] February 25 (ANI): Lawyers and Journalists in Pakistan have called on their federal government to repeal the recently implemented draconian PECA amendments in light of the Sindh High Court's verdict to refer the amendments to a constitutional bench.
The Dawn reported that, 'As the Sindh High Court observed that petitions challenging recent amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) should be heard and decided by the court's Constitutional Bench, a consultative meeting of lawyers and journalists called on the federal government to immediately repeal the recent changes to cybercrime laws.'
Convened by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Monday, the consultative gathering also demanded an immediate end to restrictions on independent journalism.
After detailed discussions, a unanimous resolution adopted by the journalists and lawyers present emphasised that freedom of expression was the cornerstone of democracy and it must be safeguarded against all forms of coercion, the Dawn added
The consultative meeting also condemned and disapproved PECA (Amendment) Act, 2025, being defective legislation, considering it a violation of Article 19 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of speech and expression.
The Dawn in its report further added that, The consultation noted that PECA (Amendment) Act, 2025, infringed upon the rights of media personnel as protected under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) adopted by the United Nations, to which Pakistan is a signatory. Additionally, the definition of the place of occurrence is unclear which could lead to registration of numerous FIRs on different places against single occurrence. Furthermore, tribunals should be entirely free from executive influence.
The meeting according to The Dawn also acknowledged the media as the fourth pillar of the state and reaffirmed its strong support for independent journalism and the protection of media personnel. It stressed that any attempt to curtail media freedom threatened democratic values and transparency in Pakistan. (ANI)
Get a daily dose of Russia Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Russia Herald.
More InformationBASTROP, Texas: In a surprising turn at Elon Musk's X platform, CEO Linda Yaccarino announced she is stepping down, just months after...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak will return to Goldman Sachs in an advisory role, the Wall Street...
LONDON, U.K.: Physically backed gold exchange-traded funds recorded their most significant semi-annual inflow since the first half...
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands: Some 32 percent of global semiconductor production could face climate change-related copper supply disruptions...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks rebounded Tuesday with all the major indices gaining ground. Markets in the UK, Europe and Canada...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Financial markets kicked off the week on a cautious note as President Donald Trump rolled out a fresh round...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: With just weeks to spare before a potential government default, U.S. lawmakers passed a sweeping tax and spending...
Germany is ready to buy US-made air defense systems for Ukraine, its chancellor has claimed ...
BRUSSELS, 11th July, 2025 (WAM) -- EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs will hold a meeting next Monday in Brussels, to be chaired by Kaja...
Emmanuel Gonquoi has accused the US of repackaging colonial-era policies under the guise of economic partnership US President Donald...
SREBRENICA - Thousands of people have gathered in Srebrenica, Bosnia-Herzegovina, to mark the 30th anniversary of the only acknowledged...
The US president has reiterated that he is disappointed with Moscow US President Donald Trump has said he is planning to make a major...