The Senate on Tuesday approved the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Peca) (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024, aimed at creating a digital society, economy and governance, amid commotion by the opposition benches.
The Peca bill was floated by Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain in the Upper House of Parliament.
Hussain said the Peca bill was aimed at dealing with the issues on social media. He assured it was not directed against the journalists of television and newspapers.
The minister said the opposition was also engaged on the bill through the platforms of standing committees of both the National Assembly and the Senate.
On the Peca tweaks, ANP’s Aimal Wali said it was a draconian law as it imposed restrictions on freedom of speech. “The bill smells of boots,” he said, announcing to walk out from the House with other members of his party.
On the other hand, journalists also walked out of the Senate gallery as the bill was presented for approval.
Leader of the Opposition in Senate Shibli Faraz said it was their job to legislate, however, the law was being passed without consultation. “They should have consulted those concerned with the Peca amendment bill.”
JUI-F member Kamran Murtaza said the standing committee report presented in the house was incomplete as his proposed amendments to the Peca Act were neither rejected nor accepted by the committee.
