A Senate subcommittee reviewed cases filed under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act. Officials presented details of cases registered against citizens, journalists, and social media activists across Pakistan. Consequently, authorities booked 41 journalists under PECA according to data shared during the meeting. A total of 689 PECA cases have occurred nationwide. Lahore and Multan each recorded 129 cases. Faisalabad reported 127 cases. Rawalpindi registered 72 cases. Peshawar, Abbottabad, and Gujranwala also showed significant numbers.

Smaller case counts came from Islamabad with 10 cases, Quetta with 14, and Gilgit with one case. The committee also learned that nine cases against journalists in Islamabad under PECA had occurred. Rawalpindi reported two cases against journalists. Karachi recorded one such case. Therefore, authorities booked 41 journalists under PECA along with other media personnel and social media activists. Senator Waqar Mehdi raised questions regarding the authority responsible for registering FIRs and conducting investigations under PECA.

Officials informed the committee that provincial authorities no longer have powers to register FIRs under PECA. The new framework transfers investigative and enforcement authority from the Federal Investigation Agency to the NCCIA. Punjab Police officials told the committee they had received directions not to register PECA cases. Sindh Police officials similarly stated that 55 PECA related cases had occurred over the past two years. Of those, 25 have transferred to the NCCIA. The committee learned that authorities booked 41 journalists under PECA through this new framework.

Both Punjab and Sindh are now establishing dedicated cybersecurity departments. These departments will improve their ability to handle cybercrime related matters. The Senate subcommittee meeting was chaired by Sarmad Ali.