Pakistani journalists, digital rights advocates, and civil society have long been waging a war against the PECA law, which was originally passed in 2016 to combat cybercrime.
FIRs have been filed against journalist Ahmad Noorani & advocate Shafiq Ahmad under amended Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act for spreading fake news & promoting anti-state propaganda.
Journalists and digital rights activists have strongly condemned the amendments. The common refrain is that this is an ‘attack on freedom of expression’ and a ‘digital dragnet’.
This government has been determined to muzzle free speech, and it is clear that as it nears the end of its term, efforts to solidify this legacy are picking up pace.
American objectives are unmet. They neither have muscle nor motivation to resume the war. As for Iran, the regime didn’t just survive, it’s now led by more radical individuals.
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