Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and others move Lahore High Court against PECA
PTI and Journalists Challenge PECA Act 2025
In Islamabad, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), along with civil society and journalistic organizations, has filed a petition in the Lahore High Court against the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Amendment (PECA) Act 2025. The petition, led by Opposition Leader Ahmed Bachhar and others, argues that the act violates Article 19-A of the Constitution by not clearly defining "fake news" and forcing journalists to disclose their sources, which breaches journalistic ethics.
The petitioners have named the provincial government and Chief Secretary as respondents, urging the court to declare the PECA Amendment Act unconstitutional and halt any actions under it until a final decision is made. The Sindh High Court and Islamabad High Court are also reviewing similar petitions against the act.
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has also filed a lawsuit, claiming the act is an attack on media freedom and violates both Pakistani and international human rights. The PFUJ President, Afzal Butt, has called for a judicial review, criticizing the lack of consultation and the swift passage of the law by the ruling coalition.
Doubts Revealed
PTI
PTI stands for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which is a political party in Pakistan. It was founded by Imran Khan, a famous cricketer turned politician.
PECA Act 2025
The PECA Act 2025 is a law in Pakistan aimed at preventing electronic crimes, like hacking or online fraud. The 2025 version is an amendment, meaning changes were made to an earlier version of the law.
Lahore High Court
The Lahore High Court is a major court in Pakistan, located in the city of Lahore. It deals with important legal cases and issues in the Punjab region.
Article 19-A
Article 19-A is a part of the Constitution of Pakistan that gives people the right to access information. It means people can ask for and receive information from the government.
Fake news
Fake news refers to false or misleading information presented as news. It can be harmful because it spreads incorrect information to people.
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists
This is an organization in Pakistan that represents journalists. They work to protect the rights and freedom of journalists in the country.
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