President signs PECA amendments into law
President Asif Ali Zardari has given his assent to the controversial amended Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2025, officially making it law.
The President’s decision follows earlier delays, where he initially withheld signing the bill pending recommendations from journalist associations concerned about its potential impact on press freedom.
In addition to the amended PECA Act, President Zardari also approved the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2025 and the National Commission on the Status of Women (Amendment) Bill 2025.
The bills were previously passed by the National Assembly, the Standing Committee, and the Senate before being sent to the President for his signature. However, following widespread protests by journalists and a request from Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman on behalf of the Parliamentary Reporters Association of Pakistan (PRAP), President Zardari had initially delayed signing the PECA amendment to consider the PRAP’s concerns. Despite these earlier concerns, the President has now given his final approval.
The Senate’s approval of the amended PECA Act was met with strong opposition and protests from opposition parties and journalists, who staged a walkout during the Senate session. Subsequent protests took place across the country. The PRAP also held a demonstration at the Parliament House.
The President’s final decision to sign the bill into law comes despite the earlier concerns raised by journalists’ groups.
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