PML-N to challenge PECA ordinance

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Wednesday decided to challenge the recently promulgated Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Ordinance 2022 in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

The opposition party through its leaders Marriyam Aurangzeb and Azam Nazir Tarar will file a petition assailing the controversial law.

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The petition has been prepared by the party’s legal team and will soon be filed in the high court.

The Islamabad High Court earlier today suspended implementation of the recent amendments made to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 through the presidential ordinance.

After an initial hearing, an IHC single bench comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah restrained the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from making arrests under Section 20 of the law till further orders.

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The court issued a notice to the Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) to appear before it on next date of hearing for assistance in the case. The bench called for all the petitions involving the law to be clubbed together for joint hearing. The case was put off till tomorrow.

A number of petitions challenging the law have been filed in the Islamabad and Lahore high courts. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has also decided to file a petition against the ordinance.