The passage of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (PECA) Amendment Bill 2025 has sparked strong criticism from journalists and opposition parties, with senior journalists condemning it as an authoritarian move that endangers press freedom.
“Silencing the media contradicts democratic values. These actions are leading us toward civilian martial law,” Abbas stated during a news program.
The amendments, swiftly approved by both the National Assembly and Senate, are aimed at curbing misinformation and fake news on social media, according to government officials.
However, Abbas argued that the law is a continuation of similar efforts by previous administrations. He noted that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government first introduced PECA in 2016, followed by a stricter version under Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Now, he claims, the current government has introduced the “most repressive version yet.”
“They are restricting your thoughts. You cannot even think freely, as it could be interpreted as speaking against someone,” he warned.
Abbas further criticized successive governments for gradually tightening control over media, first censoring writing, then images, and now speech. “In reality, they are attempting to stifle and suppress the media,” he added.
Questioning the government’s rationale for the amendments, he challenged the definition of fake news.
“They claim they want to regulate misinformation on digital media. But what exactly is fake news? If I say today that the February 8 election was rigged, does that make it false? No, it is an opinion — something open to debate,” he explained.
The journalist cautioned against hastily passing laws, calling such actions dangerous. He questioned the urgency behind the amendments, pointing out that governments often end up opposing the very laws they once enacted.
“Why the rush?” he asked. “Once this government is out of power, it will be the first to suffer under this law.”
He also warned that if the opposition came into power, it could impose even stricter regulations. “The next government, if formed by the current opposition, could be even worse,” he remarked.
Abbas accused the government of falsely claiming that stakeholders had been consulted before introducing the PECA amendments.
“They are lying. When the PTI government was in power, consultations were held. When PML-N was in power, Marriyum Aurangzeb herself admitted she was unaware that such a law was being introduced,” he recalled.
However, he acknowledged the efforts of a senior Punjab minister who took action against relevant officials.
Criticizing the prevailing mindset of media control, Abbas stated, “True consultations involve an exchange of drafts, not just claims.”
He urged Federal Information Minister Ataullah Tarar to present the drafts allegedly shared with journalist organizations if the government had genuinely engaged in multiple rounds of discussions.
‘Govt Not in a Rush’
Meanwhile, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Law and Justice, Aqeel Malik, presented a different perspective, asserting that the government was neither acting hastily nor rigidly and that proper consultations had taken place.
“This matter has been under discussion for the past three to four years. Even when Marriyum Aurangzeb was the information minister, consultations were held, and many suggestions were incorporated,” said Malik, a lawyer, during the same program.
He noted that discussions took place in Senate committee sessions but emphasized that “not every detail needs to be included in an act of parliament—some aspects should be left to the rules.”
Defending the government’s stance, Barrister Malik cited international examples, mentioning that Australia has banned social media for children under 16 and that the United States has different legislation on fake news across its states.
He also referenced the misinformation surrounding the Southport killings in the United Kingdom, which led to further violence.
“Dismissing the need for regulation on this issue is wrong. There is intent behind it. This law applies to all Pakistanis, not just the media fraternity,” Malik concluded, stressing the importance of legal measures to combat misinformation and disinformation.
