The journalist community in twin cities observed Friday as Black Day and took to streets to protest against the recently passed law ‘Prevention of Electronic Crime Act (PECA) (Amendment) 2025’ which they said posed grave threat to the freedom of expression. Black flags were hoisted at the National Press Club Islamabad ’s building as well as the camp office of the Press Club in Rawalpindi.
Office-bearers of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), the National Press Club (NPC) and the Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) addressed the media persons the NPC expressing their resolve that protest would continue unless the government withdraws the controversial act.
President of the PFUJ, Muhammad Afzal Butt while addressing the journalists announced the journalist community in support with the civil society was going to launch a massive movement for freedom of expression and withdrawal of the PECA 2025.
The government seemed to be in hurry while bulldozing the law from the Parliament and passed the bill without taking the input from the journalists who are the main stakeholders. It is time, he said that all journalists should sand and get united for the cause of media rights and freedom of expression.
Meanwhile, the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) has also expressed serious concerns over the PECA 2025 fearing its broad scope and potential could curb freedom of expression.
