The Islamabad High Court on Friday issued notices to the attorney general and the federal government in a petition filed by the Pakistan Broadcasters Association against amendments in Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016 and clubbed the plea with other pending pleas against the ordinance.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah conducted the hearing of the case, while Advocate Rabbi Bin Tariq represented the PBA.

At the onset of the hearing, Justice Minallah remarked that the matter before the court was whether defamation cases could be made a criminal law and inquired whether the PBA had any issues with the sections related to the matter.

CJ Minallah noted that the PBA only challenged the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendments) Ordinance, 2022 in the court and that it contained only amendments in the original act.

At this the petitioner's lawyer said they were challenging the ordinance in the court and that everything related to the amendments would come under it.

Later the court issued notice to the respondents in the case and adjourned the hearing till March 10.

Media bodies, including Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, as well as the Lahore High Court Bar Association had filed petitions in the IHC against the ordinance, saying the new amendment ordinance lays bare the "agenda of the government to promote only certain types of news and discourage criticism."

Soon after the petitions were filed, the IHC restrained the Federal Investigation Agency from making arrests under Section 20 of the ordinance.

President Dr Arif Alvi had promulgated the ordinance to amend PECA, 2016, which was aimed at “countering fake news,” amid the opposition, journalist fraternity, and rights bodies' concerns over the tweak.