Islamabad, Dec 24 (NationPress) The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) held a roundtable discussion on Wednesday in Islamabad, where participants emphasized the stifling effect of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 and pointed out the existing structural limitations to press freedom in the nation.

The gathering underscored the repercussions of recent amendments to PECA on everyday citizens and advocated for a comprehensive civil society alliance aimed at safeguarding digital expression in Pakistan.

As per the HRCP, numerous attendees shared their personal accounts of harassment, with one journalist detailing threats and intimidation from officials within Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), raising alarm over corruption and the absence of accountability in enforcement agencies.

During the meeting, President of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Afzal Butt, reiterated the necessity for a principled stance against such laws that undermine rights, suggesting direct discussions with Pakistani officials to differentiate between reasonable regulation and repression.

Veteran journalist and HRCP Council member Nasir Zaidi remarked that Pakistan’s stance on freedom of speech has been historically restrictive, with legislation aimed more at controlling narratives than upholding constitutional rights.

Additionally, journalist Akbar Notezai pointed out that newspapers in the Balochistan province rely heavily on government advertising, which compromises editorial independence.

Another journalist, Matiullah Jan, cautioned that involving other security agencies in PECA-related FIA investigations could lead to potential abuse.

Lawyers and journalists, including Saqib Bashir and Asad Toor, stressed the significance of coordinated, evidence-based legal action across multiple courts for PECA-related issues, yet contended that legal paths alone aren't sufficient and must be paired with open public discourse and collective resistance to these laws, as noted by HRCP.

Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi concurred that opposing laws that limit press freedom nationwide is imperative.

As the roundtable drew to a close, former senator and HRCP Council member Farhatullah Babar proposed establishing pro bono legal teams to tackle due-process violations under PECA, alongside systematic engagement with political factions on this matter. This motion received support from Rawalpindi Journalists Union President Tariq Ali.

Furthermore, Babar suggested that officials who abuse these laws should be publicly identified, the HRCP remarked.