QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Monday heard constitutional petitions challenging the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), filed by the Balochistan Bar Council, the Balochistan Union of Journalists, and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Balochistan chapter.
The hearing was conducted by a division bench comprising Justice Shoukat Ali Rakhshani and Justice Gul Hasan Tareen. During the proceedings, Additional Attorney General of Pakistan Farid Dogar informed the court that a case against the Peca Act was already pending before the Federal Constitutional Court, and sought dismissal of the petitions on that ground.
However, counsel for the petitioners, Advocate Rahib Khan Baloch, argued that the Peca Act had been challenged not only in the Balochistan High Court but also in all provincial high courts. He maintained that the law violates fundamental provisions of the Constitution and is aimed at suppressing freedom of speech and freedom of information.
The petitioner’s counsel further told the court that, under the guise of the Peca Act, numerous cases have been registered against journalists, lawyers, and social activists, which he said amounted to violations of human rights. After hearing the arguments, the court adjourned the proceedings to a later date and sought responses from all provincial governments.
