The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has passed a resolution condemning the controversial amendments to the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The resolution was presented by PTI leader Shafiullah Jan, who argued that the amendments imposed restrictions on press freedom. The resolution asserts that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly rejects any curbs on freedom of speech and expression.
The resolution, which was passed in solidarity with the journalist community, calls for the federal government to revoke the undemocratic and contentious amendments to the PECA Act. After the approval of the resolution, the session of the provincial assembly was adjourned until Monday.
This development follows the National Assembly’s approval of the PECA amendment bill, which was passed with a majority vote. Journalists protested the bill by walking out of the press gallery. The amendment introduced a penalty of three years in prison or a fine of up to 2 million rupees for spreading fake news.
A new provision under Section 1A will establish a Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority. The authority will be responsible for the registration, cancellation, and setting of standards for social media platforms. Violations of the act will be subject to disciplinary action, and the authority will consist of nine members.
The government has also decided to include journalists in the authority, with five members holding at least ten years of experience in the media sector, alongside software engineers, lawyers, and social media professionals.
Under the amendment, the federal government will also establish a National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency to investigate illegal activities on social media. The head of this agency will be a Director-General, appointed for a three-year term. The officers and staff of the agency will have the powers of law enforcement officers, and the FIA‘s Cyber Crime Wing will be dissolved once the new investigative agency is established.
