On February 14, the government successfully prevented a Senate resolution opposing the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2025 amendments by raising a quorum issue just before the debate. This led to the session’s adjournment. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar pointed out the quorum shortfall, preventing further discussion.

The resolution, tabled by Senator Aon Abbas Buppi, sought a review of the amendments and the removal of provisions that undermined fundamental human rights.

Following the adjournment, opposition senators, led by Shibli Faraz, met with parliamentary reporters to express solidarity with the media. Senator Ali Zafar read out the resolution, while Senator Buppi claimed the opposition had a majority and accused the government of panicking and raising the quorum issue. He announced plans to reintroduce the resolution in the next session.

Journalists across Pakistan staged protests against the Peca amendments, denouncing it as a threat to press freedom and free speech. Organized by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), demonstrators marched from the National Press Club to D-Chowk, carrying placards and banners rejecting the law.  The protest was also joined by the President of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Dominique Pradalié.

Addressing the gathering, PFUJ President Afzal Butt declared, “freedom of press movement has started, and we are on the street as well as we have moved court to fight a legal battle against the black law.” He warned that if the government failed to take back the law, they would stage nationwide protests.

Hunger strike camps and rallies were also held in Islamabad, Karachi, Quetta, Hyderabad, and Rawalpindi.

“A black law in the form of PECA has been imposed on the freedom of expression, which is the fundamental right of citizens,” the KUJ said, urging journalists to continue protests until the law is abolished. The Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) also staged a hunger strike outside the Quetta Press Club, rejecting the law. “We will not accept the controversial PECA law at any cost. We will not let any attempt to curb freedom of expression succeed,” BUJ stated.