‘PM Khan is a predator of free speech’: Pakistanis denounce PECA Ordinance

Since the promulgation of the Ordinance amending the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, the law has been receiving a lot of criticism from the Opposition, civil society, journalists and even government allies.

Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Ahsan Bhoon in his statement has announced to challenge both ordinances, promulgated by PTI govt last week. pic.twitter.com/3AM9RDitm7

— Hasnaat Malik (@HasnaatMalik) February 22, 2022

In a joint statement, the Opposition termed PECA “fascist and dictatorship”. The statement was released after a meeting between Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership, reports Geo News.

Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif took to Twitter and said, “So-called ‘defamation’ amendment to PECA, promulgated by presidential ordinance, shows the real fascist face of the ruling clique.”

So-called 'defamation' amendment to PECA, promulgated by presidential ordinance, shows the real fastcist face of the ruling clique. After imposing curbs on mainstream media, they are out to muzzle social media. But can they go against the currents of time? Can truth be hidden?

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 21, 2022

PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto- Zardari said that freedom of expression and press is being muzzled under the guise of preventing false news. “Khan Sahib himself is the biggest leader of fake news mafia in Pakistan,” said Bilawal.

PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz was of the view that PECA is going to be used against the government.

یہ حکومت جو بھی قوانین بنا رہی ہے کہنے کو تو میڈیا اور اپوزیشن کی آواز بند کرنے کے لیے ہے مگر یہ قوانین عمران اینڈ کمپنی کے خلاف استعمال ہونے والے ہیں۔ پھر نا کہنا بتایا نہیں!

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) February 20, 2022

While condemning the Ordinance, PPP’s Senator Sherry Rehman said that such laws are unacceptable.

نئی ترمیم میں آن لائن ہتک عزت کو ناقابل ضمانت اور قابل سزا جرم بنا دیا گیا ہے۔اس آرڈیننس کے مطابق ہتک عزت کا دعویٰ متاثرہ فریق کے ساتھ کوئی بھی کر سکتا ہے۔ ہتک عزت ہوئی ہے یا نہیں اس کا فیصلہ کون کرے گا؟ ایف آئی اے کا دائر وسیع کر دیا گیا ہے۔ مارشل لا کے قانون ناقابل قبول ہیں۔3/4

— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) February 22, 2022

Lawyer Reema Omer tweeted, “With PECA Ordinance, PM Imran Khan has proven yet again that he is a predator of free speech.”

With PECA Ordinance, PM Imran Khan has proven yet again that he is a predator of free speech https://t.co/4aAQ6D8fHA pic.twitter.com/UJk2mQwKbA

— Reema Omer (@reema_omer) February 21, 2022

However, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) restrained the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from making arrests under Section 20 of PECA despite its promulgation by President Arif Alvi on Sunday, reports Dawn.

Federal Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication Amin Ul Haque has written to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, urging him to either withdraw or review the Ordinance.

Federal Minister Amin Ul Haque writes to the Prime Minister stating that PECA amendments have drawn "widespread condemnation". He further urges that the PM to "withdraw/review the ordinance".

— Benazir Shah (@Benazir_Shah) February 23, 2022