Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Secretary Information Sheikh Waqas Akram vowed on Thursday to stage the nationwide protests against the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) amendment bill.
Addressing the press conference, Akram said, "We also denounce the Digital Nation Act. The act will be used to control the social media and against the PTI.
"The PECA Act is a draconian law. Both the laws are against the freedom of expression," Akram added.
Speaking about the talks with the government, "The fourth round of the talks will be held only if the government forms the judicial commission till 12 pm today."
The Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024 was approved by the National Assembly’s IT and Telecom Standing Committee with a majority vote.
Ten members voted in favor of the bill, while six members opposed it. Chairman of the Committee, Amin Ul Haq, expressed a desire for unanimous approval, which was not achieved. Members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opposed the bill.
Minister of State for IT, Shiza Fatima Khawaja, informed the committee that amendments had been made to the bill, with the revised version being provided to all members.
Addressing objections from opposition members, including Omar Ayub, Umair Niazi, and Barrister Gohar, Shiza Fatima clarified that the bill did not intend to centralize data in one place, as some had suggested. Instead, the digital identity system would provide easier access to services, and efforts were being made to ensure robust digital security.
