ISLAMABAD: Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday questioned how the amended Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) defines “fake news.” The judge raised this during hearings on petitions filed by senior journalists and their bodies. They challenge the amendments as curbing freedom of expression and giving the executive too much power. Petitions were filed by notable journalist Hamid Mir, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Islamabad High Court Journalists Association (IHCJA) and others. Their counsel said the amendments transfer powers from the judiciary to the executive. They argued that fake news cases should be handled only by an independent judicial body, not executive officials. Justice Minhas asked, “Who will decide whether the information is fake or false?” and “Explain how fake news will be determined. How will proceedings start?” The petitioner’s lawyer replied that anyone, including third parties, can now file complaints. He warned, “This provision opens the door for proxies to file complaints, which will inevitably lead to misuse of the law.” The lawyer also said not all wrong information causes harm and some errors do not amount to disinformation. RIUJ President Asif Bashir Chaudhry told the court that PFUJ filed the petition in February last year but the case is still pending without any stay. He claimed more than 24 journalists have been sentenced to life imprisonment since then. He cited one case where a journalist exposed poor road materials, which led to the road’s demolition. Justice Minhas observed this is parliamentary legislation and said, “It cannot be suspended through an interim order.” The court will hear full arguments before deciding. The hearing was adjourned until March 6. Since 2016, Peca has been criticised as a “black law” mainly punishing dissent. Last year’s amendments increased penalties for “fake news” and increased state control over digital and social media platforms. Amnesty International and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan have raised concerns these changes threaten fundamental rights and increase government control of the digital space. In August 2025, the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting voiced concern over cases against journalists under Peca and called for urgent attention to media grievances about FIRs and arrests.