Islamabad — President Asif Ali Zardari has signed the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Peca) (Amendment) Bill 2025 into law, despite significant protests and reservations from the journalist community. The bill was passed by both houses of parliament earlier this week, marking a controversial step in the government’s efforts to regulate electronic crimes in the country.
In a statement issued by the President House, it was confirmed that President Zardari gave his assent to the bill after its passage by the National Assembly and Senate. Along with the Peca Amendment Bill, the president also signed two other significant pieces of legislation: the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2025 and the National Commission on the Status of Women (Amendment) Bill 2025.
The signing of the Peca amendment bill follows heated debates and opposition from journalists and media rights organizations, who argue that the law could lead to restrictions on freedom of speech and press freedom in the country. Protests erupted across Pakistan in response to the Senate’s passage of amendments to the bill, with critics voicing concerns over the potential for misuse of the law to silence dissenting voices.
Read more: PECA Amendment Act 2025 Challenged in Lahore High Court
The government’s move to sign the controversial bill into law has sparked a renewed wave of debate regarding the balance between national security and the protection of fundamental rights in Pakistan.
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