Governor Punjab Says PPP Won’t Support Any Legislation That Curtails Press Freedom

On January 28, Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan expressed concerns over amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and its implications for journalists, asserting that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would not support any legislation that curtails press freedom.
Speaking to senior PPP leaders, including Imtiaz Safdar, Azizur Rehman Chan, Naveed Cheema, Abrar Hussain Shah, Edwin Sahutra, and others, Governor Haider Khan emphasized the party’s commitment to institutional stability, judicial independence, and media freedom. He said that the party has historically made sacrifices for democracy and press freedom and will continue to raise its voice against PECA “at all forums.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Senator Irfan Siddiqui said: “We could make amendment in the PECA act to remove genuine concerns of journalist fraternity,” while stating that the legislation should have been developed after consultation with media stakeholders.
On January 28, the Senate passed the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Amendment Bill, 2025, earlier approved by the National Assembly on January 23 and now awaiting the president’s assent to become law.
The PECA amendments introduce Section 26(A), which proposes strict penalties for spreading “fake news” online. Under the new provisions, individuals found guilty of intentionally disseminating false information that could incite fear, panic, or unrest in society may face up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs2 million, or both.
demonstration against the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (PECA) Amendment Bill, arranged
by Punjab Union of Journalists, held at Lahore press club on Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
(Babar Shah/PPI Images).