On February 26, the Lahore High Court (LHC) issued notices to the federal government and other respondents in a petition challenging the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act 2025. The petition, filed by Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ-Workers) President Ziaullah Khan Niazi via his counsel Barrister Haris Bhatti, was heard by Justice Farooq Haider.

The counsel argued that the amendments violated fundamental Constitutional rights including freedom of expression, due process, and judicial independence. He noted that vague terms in the law such as “ideology of Pakistan,” “aspersion,” and “harmful,” give authorities “excessive discretion” to criminalize speech including criticism, satire, and factual reporting.

Further arguments were made against the extensive powers granted to the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA) and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). 

The counsel asked the LHC to declare the amendments “unconstitutional and void,” and urged that due process be followed regarding content regulation and data access. Justice Haider directed a law officer to submit replies on behalf of the respondents. He said that the petition would be heard alongside other similar pending cases.

Earlier, on January 31, the LHC, hearing of the petition, filed by Lahore Press Club member Jafar Bin Yar through his counsel, Advocate Nadeem Sarwar, declined to immediately suspend PECA 2025 but issued notices to the relevant authorities, seeking their response within three weeks.