KARACHI: A senior Pakistani politician from a party supporting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ruling coalition on Saturday condemned the recent amendments to the country’s cyber laws, warning they would jeopardize freedom of speech and weaken the state.
Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) was originally enacted in 2016, but an amendment bill passed in January 2025 expanded its scope by broadening the definition of “fake news” and criminalizing defamation against government officials.
The law also established a new social media regulatory authority to oversee digital content and a cybercrime agency with the power to prosecute violations.
Speaking at a convention related to the issue, Raza Rabbani of the Pakistan Peoples Party denounced the PECA amendments as a “black law,” asserting they would further restrict an already regulated digital space, especially for journalists.
“Trying to stop or restrict freedom of the press actually weakens the state. Freedom of expression is a fundamental right,” Rabbani said, highlighting the law’s “vague provisions on fake news” and other reforms that he warned could be easily manipulated.
He criticized the government for failing to consult stakeholders before enacting the amendments and urged an immediate suspension of the law’s implementation. Rabbani called for dialogue with journalists, civil society and other relevant groups to revise the legislation.
Barrister Salahuddin Ahmed, a legal expert, told the gathering the amendments undermined democratic principles by granting the government disproportionate power.
He also warned against the new authority mandated to take swift action against social media platforms during his speech.
“This authority is empowered to block platforms and remove content within 24 hours of a complaint being filed,” Ahmed said. “This gives an alarming level of unchecked power to a single body, which could easily be misused to stifle dissent.”
Sohail Afzal Khan, secretary of the Karachi Press Club, where the convention was held, echoed these concerns, arguing PECA was designed to suppress journalists rather than combat disinformation.
“If the government had been sincere in combating fake news, it would have enacted legislation in consultation with journalist leadership and other stakeholders. Instead, it seeks to suppress the voice of journalists,” Khan said.
The event was attended by representatives from major political parties, lawyers, rights activists and media workers, culminating in a resolution rejecting PECA 2025.
The resolution called for the removal of restrictions on free speech and an end to legal actions against journalists under the pretext of combating misinformation.
“The meeting resolves to continue its struggle against PECA and similar laws, within democratic frameworks, by collaborating with civil society and democratic forces,” it said.
Pakistan ruling coalition ally criticizes cyber law amendments, warns of threat to free speech
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Pakistan ruling coalition ally criticizes cyber law amendments, warns of threat to free speech
- Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act is widely criticized as a tool to stifle dissent
- PPP’s Raza Rabbani calls the PECA amendment bill ‘black law,’ says it can weaken the state
Pakistan to receive rain, snowfall this weekend after prolonged early-winter dry spell
- Met office forecasts precipitation across northern, western regions from Dec. 13–15
- Fog, landslide risks, road closures likely as temperatures drop, Met Department says
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to receive much-needed rain and snowfall this weekend after an extended early-winter dry spell, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported on Friday, citing the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
According to the Met Office, a shallow western disturbance entered the country’s western regions on Friday and is expected to bring light to moderate rain and thunderstorms in plains, along with snowfall over hilly areas, from Dec. 13 to 15.
The precipitation is expected to affect large parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, as well as parts of Balochistan and northern Punjab, offering relief to regions that have experienced unusually dry conditions during what is typically a wetter period.
“Light to moderate rain and thunderstorm accompanied by snowfall over the hills is expected in Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Kohistan, Malakand, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur and Buner from December 13 to 15 with occasional gaps,” the PMD said, according to APP.
Similar weather conditions are forecast for Gilgit-Baltistan, including Diamer, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche and Shigar, as well as parts of Azad Kashmir such as Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Bagh and Haveli during the same period.
The Met Office said partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with light rain and snowfall are expected in parts of the former tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while areas of Balochistan including Quetta, Ziarat, Zhob and Chaman are also likely to be affected. Drizzle is expected in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and the Potohar region, while Murree and the Galliyat may receive light rain and snowfall on Sunday and Monday.
From the night of Dec. 12-16, moderate to dense fog is likely to develop over plain areas of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and upper Sindh, the PMD warned, cautioning that reduced visibility could disrupt traffic on highways and motorways.
Snowfall may lead to slippery roads and temporary closures in mountainous areas including Naran, Kaghan, Kalam, Malam Jabba, Hunza, Skardu, Ziarat and Chaman, with a risk of landslides in vulnerable parts of upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. Tourists and travelers have been advised to remain cautious.
The Met Office said another western disturbance is likely to influence western and upper parts of the country from December 19, raising hopes that the prolonged dry spell may ease. Officials say the expected precipitation could help replenish water resources, support agriculture and reduce smog levels in urban centers.
