The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called on the Supreme Court of Pakistan to urgently examine the law on the prevention of electronic crimes (PECA), quoting what it says to increase threats to put pressure on the freedom and security of journalists in the country.
In a letter addressed to the chief judge – and also sent to the Prime Minister, the chief judge of the High Court of Islamabad and the president of the Pakistani Federal Union of journalists (PFUJ) – IFJ said that media professionals in Pakistan are faced with growing dangers while exercising their professional functions.
Earlier this year, the National Assembly adopted a set of amendments to the Electronic Crimes Prevention Act (PECA) under an additional program, considerably expanding government authority to regulate online content and penalize digital offenses. The 2025 PECA law (modification) included provisions for the formation of a digital rights protection authority (DRPA), which will be empowered to delete online content, restrict access to prohibited equipment and impose penalties on people who share such content.
The changes have also expanded the definition of “social media platforms” to encompass the tools and software used to access these platforms. The revised law now extends its jurisdiction to include websites, applications and various communication channels. Within the framework of legislative changes, the FIA cybercrime wing must be dissolved and replaced by a stricter application framework. Under the new rules, individuals sharing extensive documents from parliamentary or provincial assemblies on social networks could incur up to three years, as well as a fine of RS2 million.
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“Journalists are subject to legal affairs, harassment and threats under the PECA law,” said the Federation, adding that the Government of Pakistan is a signatory to international conventions such as those of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the United Nations, which oblige it to protect fundamental rights.
IFJ noted that recent changes to Peca have granted the powers of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to act without official complaint – a decision it warns could be used to silence the dissent and target journalists arbitrarily.
“These powers have a serious risk of eliminating independent journalism and freedom of expression,” said the letter, urging the superior court to order the government to modify the law in consultation with PFUJ and other relevant stakeholders.
The Federation also expressed its concern about the bypass of high lessons by direct calls to SC, calling it “bypassing the judicial process”.
In his letter, the IFJ reported that at least seven journalists had been killed in Pakistan in the past year, without authors sentenced in cases involving attacks or threats. The latest press freedom report, he said, documented 34 violations, including physical assaults, harassment, online hatred campaigns and intimidation.
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Media workers said IFJ, are also faced with systemic challenges such as non-payment of wages, illegal layoffs and significant security risks. In addition, legal obstacles to unionization have been reinforced by recent state legislation, undermining workers’ rights.
“Media professionals are deprived of the right to unionize and they do not have equal access to justice before the courts,” said the letter.
IFJ revealed that he had sent two investigation missions to Pakistan, where representatives met journalists, media owners, PFUJ leaders and human rights defenders. The Federation said that it supported the current legal efforts of PFUJ, including a petition filed before the High Court of Islamabad, which is still awaiting a final decision.
Stressing the urgency of the situation, the IFJ called on the chief judge to immediately initiate a complete judicial examination of the PECA, in particular the modifications which grant sweeping powers at the FIA.
“Immediate measures must be taken to protect the freedom of the press under article 19 of the Constitution,” concluded the Federation.
