Senate committee forms subcommittee to review alleged misuse of Peca

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting convened on Tuesday to address concerns regarding the widespread registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca). During the session, committee members decided to establish a subcommittee tasked with examining the matter in detail.

This meeting marked the first gathering of the standing committee since September 2025, following the resignation of Senator Ali Zafar and all Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senators from their committee positions. The members present unanimously selected Senator Sarmad Ali to chair the proceedings.

Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi raised the issue of FIRs being registered under Peca by local police authorities. He highlighted the need for clarity on the ongoing practice of lodging cases against journalists and members of the public in various provinces. Senator Mehdi recalled that approximately six months ago, officials from the interior ministry had informed the committee that police did not have a role in filing such cases.

The committee discussed the implications of these FIRs, particularly their impact on journalists. Members expressed concern over the continued registration of cases under Peca, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that the law is not misused to target media professionals or restrict freedom of expression.

To address these concerns, the committee agreed to form a subcommittee that will thoroughly review the issue and provide recommendations. The subcommittee will examine the procedures and practices surrounding the registration of FIRs under Peca and seek input from relevant stakeholders.

The formation of the subcommittee reflects the Senate committee's commitment to safeguarding journalistic freedoms and ensuring that legal provisions are applied appropriately and fairly.