The Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting on Wednesday sharply criticized the growing number of cases filed against journalists and social media activists under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). It also expressed concern over the airing of unethical advertisements, regulatory failures, and the financial crisis facing state media institutions.
Committee chairman Senator Ali Zafar revealed that the Ministry of Information failed to provide a report on PECA-related cases, and said repeated requests to the Ministry of Interior had gone unanswered. In response, the committee has summoned the Interior Secretary to appear in the next session to explain the registration of PECA cases against media personnel.
The meeting, held at Parliament House, turned into a wide-ranging discussion on censorship, moral policing, and the erosion of institutional credibility. Senators raised questions about the unchecked promotion of gambling apps, alcohol use in dramas, and inappropriate content on mainstream and digital platforms.
“Why are betting ads shown during cricket matches when they’re clearly illegal?” asked Senator Afnan Ullah, who accused regulators of turning a blind eye. He stressed that the intent of proposed legislation on unethical ads is not to police women’s clothing, but to curb harmful and misleading content.
Senator Pervaiz Rashid challenged the overreach of cultural censorship, pointing out how clothing norms evolve over time. “Jeans were once seen as inappropriate too,” he said. Senator Sarmad Ali urged the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to step in and proposed a dedicated content-monitoring body.
The committee also reviewed an amendment bill to the Right of Access to Information Act, presented by Senator Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur. She criticized government departments for selectively sharing information and cited Scotland as a model for transparency.
Attention also turned to the deteriorating financial and administrative state of Pakistan Television (PTV) and Radio Pakistan. Ministry officials disclosed that PTV had exhausted its Rs11 billion annual budget, with Rs8.5 billion spent solely on salaries. The committee was alarmed to learn that 284 employees’ educational credentials remain unverified, while 84 absentee staff have been dismissed.
Senator Waqar Mehdi raised red flags about the illegal occupation of Radio Pakistan buildings in Karachi and widespread electricity theft via unauthorized connections. He called for inspections of state media properties outside the capital to prevent further encroachments.
The committee voiced strong disapproval over the leak of sensitive material during the digitization of PTV’s archives and questioned the effectiveness of institutional oversight.
As the committee prepares to question the Interior Secretary and possibly the Interior Minister if needed, lawmakers said restoring public trust and ensuring regulatory transparency is no longer optional, but essential.
