PML-N Senator Khalil Tahir Sindhu said on Monday that he would speak to Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar over amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, urging the latter to consult stakeholders on the law that deals with fake news.

“My personal opinion… I promise that I will go to the law minister and request him but I am bound by party,” he said when asked will the government would pass the bill without any consultation in the Senate tomorrow (Tuesday).

He was on the Aaj News programme Spotlight with Munizae Jahangir to speak about the controversial amendments. PPP leader Sharmila Faruqui and PTI MNA Sher Ali Arbab were also on the show via video link.

Last week, the National Assembly passed contentious amendments to PECA, which were introduced as a supplementary agenda just one day prior. The assembly suspended its rules to fast-track the bill’s consideration and passage, raising concerns about the urgency behind such actions.

Omar Ayub Khan, the Leader of the Opposition in the NA, criticised the bill, alleging it was designed to further curtail freedom of speech. He expressed concern that the legislation could establish a framework for silencing those advocating for constitutional rights.

Earlier on Tuesday, PTI protested against the amendments to the law and journalists staged a walkout in the Senate.

The bill, proposed by the PML-N, does not define fake news which it believes has affected lawmakers and the army chief.

The government has set three years of punishment and Rs2 million worth of fines for creating fake news. Moreover, the government proposed to form a nine-member social media regulatory body which would have the power to block or register social media companies and fine social media companies.

If approved, the authority would be allowed to block illegal content against the armed forces, judiciary, and parliament. According to the bill, tribunals are formed to decide matters. The government of the time would appoint the members for it. Changes also include that its appeal could only be challenged in the Supreme Court. A three-year punishment is proposed on criticism.

Amnesty and journalists have described it as a “black law”, saying that it was against the freedom of expression.

The Senate Standing Committee on Interior passed it hurriedly. Interestingly, PTI Senator Faisal Saleem presided over the committee’s meeting.

PML-N Senator Sindhu was of the view that journalists and media organisations should have been consulted before tabling the bill in Parliament.

At one point, he said that the bill has to be ultimately challenged in court if passed by the House. “We know it has to go in the court.”

When asked, PPP leader Sharmila said that maybe the bill should have been “watered down.” She revealed that the original punishment for a piece of fake news was mentioned as 10 years and it was changed to three years on her party’s insistence.

She went on to add that it was the government’s job to engage relevant stakeholders on the bill. “We were told that we have taken stakeholders on board.”

“Even if this law is implemented, how it will be 100% implemented?”

Sharmila revealed that the bill was not presented in the National Assembly Standing Committee on IT.

“Our party feels that discussion should be held with journalists and Bilawal agrees that consensus should be held. Without consensus, it will fail.”

When asked about PTI Senator Faisal Saleem’s role, PTI MNA Arbab said: “He has been taking instructions from those from whom he was taking during the 26th Constitutional Amendment.”

He added that his party leaders in the National Assembly opposed the bill and staged a walkout in the session. “The role of Senate Standing Committee on IT chairman is already grey after the 26th Constitutional Amendment.”

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He added: “In this situation, lines have been blurred everywhere.” Arbab stated that the party would raise its voice in the parliamentary party meeting.“

The PTI MNA expressed concerns that the impact of such a bill would be negative on Pakistan as the country is a signatory to different conventions.

In response to PML-N’s Sindhu comments that Saleem was appointed by Imran Khan, Arbab agreed with such a statement but reiterated that his role was controversial after the legislation related to the judiciary.

“Faisal Saleem is part of our party. We have given him a show-cause notice and an investigation is under way. There is a lapse and PTI’s lacking that we should have objected to in the Senate. We did not do this. It is our mistake and this should not have happened. This is wrong to say that it was passed after PTI’s consent.”