President Asif Ali Zardari has officially signed the amended Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2025, making it law.
Earlier, he had delayed signing the bill due to concerns from journalist associations about its impact on press freedom. However, despite protests and requests from the Parliamentary Reporters Association of Pakistan (PRAP) and opposition parties, he has now approved it.
Along with PECA 2025, President Zardari also signed the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2025 and the National Commission on the Status of Women (Amendment) Bill 2025.
The PECA amendment was passed by the National Assembly, Senate, and Standing Committee before reaching the President. Journalists and opposition parties strongly opposed it, staging walkouts and protests across the country, including a demonstration outside Parliament House.
Despite the backlash, the President has given his final approval, making the PECA amendment part of the law.
