The Senate's Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting has decided to form a subcommittee to review the registration of cases under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) after members raised concerns about its alleged misuse.

 

The meeting was the first session of the committee since September 2025. It took place after the resignation of Ali Zafar along with senators from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from standing committees.

 

Members unanimously nominated Sarmad Ali to preside over the meeting.

 

During the session, Syed Waqar Mehdi raised the issue of first information reports (FIRs) being registered under PECA by local police authorities. He said the committee had earlier been informed that the police did not have a role in initiating cases under the law.

 

“Some six months ago, officials of the interior ministry had informed this committee that the police had no role in lodging cases or inquiries falling under PECA,” Senator Mehdi said.

 

He added that complaints had been received from journalists and members of the public regarding the registration of cases under the law.

 

According to the committee, cases under PECA fall under the jurisdiction of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). However, members noted that police authorities were still registering cases against journalists and the public.

 

The committee was informed that most such cases had been reported from Punjab, followed by Sindh. Following the discussion, the committee decided to call the Inspectors General (IG) of Police, Advocate Generals and Prosecutor Generals from all provinces to discuss the issue.

 

Members then agreed to form a subcommittee to examine the matter in detail. The subcommittee will be headed by Senator Sarmad Ali. Its members include Senator Waqar Mehdi, Jan Muhammad Buledi and Pervaiz Rashid.

 

Speaking to a private media outlet, Senator Mehdi said the first meeting of the subcommittee would be held after Eid ul-Fitr. He said officials from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Law and Justice and Ministry of Interior would be invited to attend the meeting.

 

“The target is to discourage the misuse of PECA, especially against the media which could be used to silence freedom of expression,” Senator Mehdi said.