The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) conducted a roundtable meeting in Islamabad focusing on Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 and its impact on press freedom. Participants discussed the constraints faced by journalists and citizens due to the Act’s amendments, emphasizing the need for a united civil society effort to safeguard digital expression rights.
During the meeting, concerns were raised about harassment and intimidation faced by individuals, including journalists, with instances of threats by officials from Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) being highlighted. President of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Afzal Butt, stressed the importance of opposing laws that curtail rights and suggested engaging in direct dialogue with authorities to differentiate between legitimate regulation and repression.
Veteran journalist Nasir Zaidi pointed out that Pakistan’s historical approach to speech has been restrictive, focusing on controlling narratives rather than upholding constitutional rights. Journalist Akbar Notezai mentioned the heavy reliance of newspapers in Balochistan on state advertising, leading to challenges in maintaining editorial independence.
Furthermore, concerns were raised about the involvement of security agencies in FIA investigations under PECA, with emphasis placed on the necessity of evidence-based litigation across various courts. Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi echoed the importance of resisting laws that curb press freedom, while former senator Farhatullah Babar proposed the establishment of pro bono legal teams to address due-process violations under PECA laws.
