Nationwide protests have erupted in Pakistan today, with journalists rallying against the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes (PECA) Amendment Bill 2025. The bill, passed by the Senate, has sparked widespread concern among journalists, who fear it will be used to target them and curb press freedom. At the heart of the controversy is the bill’s vague definition of “fake news,” which critics argue could be used to silence dissenting voices. The bill proposes severe penalties, including up to three years in prison and fines of Rs 2 million, for spreading disinformation. Journalists’ bodies, led by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), have condemned the bill as unconstitutional and demanded its withdrawal. They argue that the government passed the amendments without consulting them or taking them into confidence.² The protests have gained international attention, with organizations like Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Amnesty International condemning the bill as a “censorship tool” that will further shrink the space for free expression in Pakistan.