Islamabad, Aug 19: The Human Rights Council (HRC) of Pakistan on Tuesday strongly condemned the registration of cases under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) against four women journalists, calling it a direct attack on freedom of expression.
The cases were filed against Nayyar Ali, Sehrish Qureshi, Maira Imran, and Shakeela Jalil, all members of the National Press Club (NPC). The HRC said the move deepens the challenges faced by women journalists who already work under difficult conditions in the country. “Targeting women in journalism with lawsuits and harassment is deeply regrettable and unfortunate,” it said, urging immediate justice and protection for the journalists.
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) also slammed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for registering cases based on a complaint by an NPC member. Reports said the journalists were part of a committee that investigated a harassment complaint filed by one of them against her former husband, also an NPC member. After the committee found both guilty of misconduct, the husband approached the FIA, alleging harassment via social media and claiming the journalists had “facilitated” his former wife.
The PFUJ described the FIA’s action as an example of how PECA is misused to suppress media freedom. “The FIA acted without giving the journalists an opportunity to explain, showing how this black law can be weaponized against independent voices,” said PFUJ leaders Afzal Butt and Arshad Ansari.
The union demanded that the Prime Minister and Interior Minister dismiss the cases and take action against those responsible. Reiterating its demand for the repeal of PECA, the PFUJ warned of nationwide protests if the cases are not withdrawn. “Journalists will continue to resist attempts to undermine their rights and freedom,” it asserted.
