ISLAMABAD: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court against recent amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), seeking to have the law immediately struck down.
The petition, filed by Muhammad Qayum Khan, argues that the amendments are "ultra vires" to the constitutional powers of the legislature and violate fundamental rights, especially the freedom of expression and speech. The plea requests that both the amendments and the original law be reviewed by a full bench of the Supreme Court in light of the Constitution, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding citizens' rights to freely express opinions in a globalized world.
The amendments, approved by the ruling coalition and signed into law by President Asif Ali Zardari, introduce stricter provisions for punishing the dissemination of "false" information online. Offenders can now face up to three years in prison and fines of up to Rs2 million. The amendments also propose the creation of new regulatory bodies, such as the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA), National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), and the Social Media Protection Tribunal. These entities would address complaints about fake news and take actions, including blocking or removing content within 24 hours.
The law also allows for the establishment of a Social Media Complaint Council to process grievances and proposes setting up Social Media Protection Tribunals, which would resolve disputes within 90 days. Appeals could be taken to the Supreme Court within 60 days. The petition critiques these provisions, arguing that they could lead to censorship and restrict freedom of expression.
