JournalismPakistan.com | Published August 12, 2016
Join our WhatsApp channel
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) have condemned the passing of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill (PECB) 2016 on Thursday, August 11. The IFJ urged the Pakistan Parliament to reconsider the Bill to make it acceptable to all ensuring the international standards.
The National Assembly, the lower house of the Parliament, officially approved the PCEB on Thursday. The Bill was originally passed by the Assembly on April 13, however when it was sent to the Senate, Parliament’s Upper House, it was knocked back. More than 50 amendments were made to the PCEB and it was unanimously adopted by the Senate on July 30. Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain will now sign the PCEB in law.
The PCEB has received widespread criticism from opposition parties, stakeholders and media groups for the provisions which many believe will curb freedom of expression in Pakistan. Particular criticisms focused on the vague wording in the bill, which is open for misinterpretation, restrictions on freedom of expression online and access to information. Criticisms also focused on the sweeping powers granted to the state authority to conduct surveillance on citizens. Many argued that the provisions of the law could specifically be misused to target journalists’ sources and whistleblowers.
The PFUJ said: “The Bill is against the the freedom of speech and expression of the media and against the privacy rights of the common citizen. Especially, the sharing of personal data with the agencies would create more safety problems for the media workers. It also violates the rights given by the UN charter. The PFUJ will continue to oppose it.”
In a statement Bytes for All, Pakistan, said: “The enactment of this law criminalizes a wide range of speech online, including legitimate political and religious expression, with harsh prison sentences and fines... Already vulnerable and marginalized sections of the society – religious, ethnic and sexual minorities, political dissidents and journalists – who have had to resort to the Internet as the only space where they can share ideas freely, will now be at even further risk whenever they express themselves online.”
The IFJ said: “The approval of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill despite widespread criticism of it being restrictive to the freedom of expression online is a setback for Pakistan’s democracy. The law leave spaces for misinterpretations that could be misused to target opposition voices or journalists is the major concern along with state authority’s power to surveillance on citizen. The law could be used to silence opposition voices thus weakening the democracy, public sphere and the media.” - IFJ media release
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.
April 03, 2025: Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.
April 02, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.
March 30, 2025: Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.
March 28, 2025 Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.