Major Convention on March 1, 2025, to Strategize Against the PECA Amendment Act 2025
- Journalists and Civil Society Demand Immediate Repeal of the PECA Amendment Act 2025
- Activists Condemn Government’s Lack of Transparency in Passing the PECA Amendment Act
- Digital Rights and Press Freedom at Stake: Karachi Press Club Leads the Resistance
Karachi – Journalists, legal experts, and human rights activists have come together to oppose the controversial PECA Amendment Act 2025. The Karachi Press Club (KPC) has announced a major convention on March 1, 2025, to rally against what critics are calling a “draconian law” that threatens press freedom and fundamental rights in Pakistan.
The decision to organize the convention was made during a consultative meeting at KPC, co-chaired by KPC President Fazil Jamili and Secretary Muhammad Sohail Afzal Khan. The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including prominent lawyer Barrister Salahuddin Ahmed, Karachi Bar Association General Secretary Abdul Rahman Korai, All Pakistan Newspaper Society’s Shahab Zuberi, Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors’ Anwar Sajdi, Pakistan Union of Journalists (Dastoor) Secretary General Alauddin Hamdam Khanzada, and Karachi Union of Journalists (Dastoor) President Hamid Rehman.
Strong Opposition to the PECA Amendment Act 2025
In his address, KPC Secretary Sohail Afzal warned that the PECA Amendment Act 2025 is a direct attack on democratic values. He stressed that journalists across the country have unanimously rejected the law since its inception and vowed to fight for its complete repeal.
“We will not remain silent. This law is an attempt to suppress free speech. We will challenge it through protests, legal action, and continuous resistance,” he declared.
Echoing these sentiments, KPC President Fazil Jamili highlighted the lack of consultation before the bill was passed. “The government assured us that stakeholders would be involved in the drafting process. However, those promises were broken, and the bill was pushed through without transparency. We now have no choice but to launch a joint struggle for press freedom,” he stated.
Why Journalists and Civil Society Are Concerned
Participants at the meeting strongly condemned the PECA Amendment Act 2025, labeling it a “black law” that must be revoked. The law, they argued, grants sweeping powers that enable targeted harassment of journalists, doctors, lawyers, students, and intellectuals who voice dissent.
Legal experts pointed out that the amendment allows authorities to curb investigative journalism, restrict digital freedoms, and penalize individuals for expressing their opinions online. “This is a clear violation of constitutional rights, and we will challenge it at every level,” said Barrister Salahuddin Ahmed.
Upcoming Convention on March 1, 2025
The Karachi Press Club will host a convention on March 1, 2025 to strengthen opposition to the law. The event will bring together journalists, legal professionals, civil society members, and human rights activists to devise a strategy for sustained resistance.
The convention will serve as a platform to mobilize public opinion, outline legal challenges, and launch a nationwide campaign demanding the repeal of the PECA Amendment Act 2025.