Coalition for freedom of expression formed in response to PECA law

Islamabad, 30 January 2025(Nosheen Raja): At a consultation held earlier today by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), participants deplored the passage of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (PECA) (Amendment) Act 2025 on the grounds that it would stifle freedom of expression further, not only for the press but also for ordinary social media users. Attending the consultation were Mian Rauf Atta, president of the SCBA, senior SCBA lawyer Abid Saqi, PFUJ president Azfal Butt, RIUJ president Tariq Ali Virk, RIUJ general secretary Asif Bashir Chaudhry, WAJAH founder Fauzia Kulsoom Rana and PPP senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro. Journalists Hamid Mir and Matiullah Jan, HRCP Council members Nasir Zaidi, Farhatullah Babar and Nida Aly, and former HRCP chairperson Afrasiab Khattak also s...