World Desk, AnyTV, New Delhi
Published by: Surendra Joshi
Updated Mon, 21 Feb 2022 01:26 PM IST
Summary
This legal provision has been made with the intention of controlling social media. The Imran government has amended the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
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Expansion
This legal provision has been made with the intention of controlling social media. The Imran government has amended the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). Pak media organizations and journalists are strongly opposing it. He has called it a black law that violates the fundamental right of the people.
According to a report, changes have been made in the provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (PECA) through an ordinance issued by the President of Pakistan, Arif Alvi. A few days earlier, media magnate Mohsin Baig was arrested for his derogatory remarks against Pak Communications Minister Murad Saeed.
Law Minister Barrister Farooq Naseem had also warned that those spreading fake news would not be spared. Subsequently, the Electronic Crime Prevention (Amendment) Ordinance, 2022 was promulgated. Naseem has said that spreading fake news will be treated as a cognizable offence. He said that whatever happened earlier is a thing of the past, now we are moving in the right direction.
What is the new legal provision
The ordinance amends Section 20 of PECA to increase the jail term from three years to five years for insulting any person or institution. The new laws have made public defamation on the online platform a cognizable and non-bailable offense and a new section has been added for speedy disposal of cases. It said that the trial should be done expeditiously but there should not be a delay of more than six months after taking cognizance of the matter.
free speech is not acceptable
After this law, a round of reactions on social media has also started. Some people are saying that it seems that Imran Khan does not even accept the free speech of the people.
Opposition and media organizations protested
The opposition, including media institutions, has also opposed the new ordinance brought in Pakistan. Opposition parties called it abolition of fundamental rights of citizens. The Dawn newspaper called the move a hoax while News International condemned the law.
On the other hand, PML-N and PPP have said that the law brought through the ordinance is a step to negate the national debate and deprive the Parliament of its constitutional right. PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif tweeted that this law has been brought to suppress the voice of the media and the opposition.