Senior journalists, legislators, civil society representatives, and office-bearers of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) expressed concern over last year’s amendments to media-related laws and their potential implications for journalists and digital media users at a media convention held in Abbottabad on February 14, 2026.
The convention was organized by PFUJ in collaboration with the Abbottabad Union of Journalists and the Abbottabad Press Club. It was supported by the Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability (TDEA).
Nearly 300 participants representing journalists’ associations, political parties, the legal fraternity, civil society, trade unions, the business community, and district administration attended the event. Journalists from Abbottabad, Haripur, Ghazi, Khanpur, Havelian, Qalandarabad, Mansehra, Shinkiari, Baffa, Torghar, Batagram, Ghari Habibullah, Balakot, Shangla, Lassan Nawab, Peshawar, Lahore, and Islamabad participated in the convention.
Former Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani, Member of the Provincial Assembly Shehla Bano, and FAFEN Chairperson Mukhtar Javed also addressed the gathering and shared journalists’ concerns.
PFUJ President Afzal Butt, Secretary General Arshad Ansari, and other senior representatives highlighted concerns regarding the implementation of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act 2025 and related regulatory frameworks. They underscored the need for a comprehensive review of laws governing freedom of expression to formulate recommendations aimed at ensuring constitutional guarantees relating to freedom of speech are effectively upheld.
Legal experts and representatives of the Abbottabad Bar Association shared their perspectives on specific provisions of PECA, including definitions, complaint mechanisms, and procedural safeguards. Participants emphasized the importance of clarity in legal language and broader stakeholder consultation in future legislative processes.
PFUJ leaders stated that recommendations gathered from the Abbottabad convention, along with inputs from similar regional and provincial consultations held in other cities, will be consolidated into proposed amendments for consideration at a forthcoming national-level convention and shared with policymakers for implementation.
