PBA, journalist associations & senior journalists move IHC against the PECA Ordinance 2022

ISLAMABAD, Mar 02 (SABAH): The Pakistan Broadcasters Associations (PBA), journalist associations, and senior journalists moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC) against the PECA Ordinance 2022 on Wednesday.

The federal government through the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication and Ministry of Law and Justice have been made parties in the plea that moves the high court to nullify the PECA ordinance.

According to the petition filed through lawyer Munir Ahmed Malik, the ordinance aims to stifle criticism and debate on the actions of the public office holders in the garb of action against fake news and disinformation.

It said criticism of the actions of the public office holders was necessary for a vibrant democracy. The petitioners said Section 44 (a)(5) inserted in the ordinance – that bounds the courts to decide defamation cases within six months – will pressurise the judges hearing the cases.

The petition said that in order to issue an ordinance, the president must have a valid cause, adding that the PECA law will result in an increase in self-censorship. It said the law was in violation of Article 4, Article 9, Article 19 and 19-A, and Article 89 of the Constitution.

As the PECA ordinance violates the constitution, it is requested that this court declares it null and void for being unconstitutional.

After former Lahore High Court bar president, different journalist associations of Pakistan have also challenged the recently promulgated Pakistan Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act ordinance 2022 (PECA) in the Islamabad High Court.

The challenged law has triggered protests from media bodies and civil society who have termed it a “draconian law”.