Freedom Network, a Pakistan-based independent media and civil liberties organization, in its recently published report said a "chilling pattern" has emerged in the use of the criminal defamation section of the country's anti-cybercrimes law, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), which has been used frequently to charge journalists and information practitioners in connection with their digital journalism and online expression.

The new research by the media rights group has revealed that cases were registered against 56 percent of the two dozen Pak journalists and information practitioners who had a brush with the PECA between 2019 and 2021.

"Out of these individuals who were formally charged under PECA, around 70 percent were arrested, and just over half of the arrested were allegedly subjected to torture in custody," the report, which was published on the eve of the annual 'International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists' observed globally on Nov 2, read.

The media rights watchdog stated its report's findings are based on the analysis of cases of 23 scribes who were earlier served notices by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) under PECA or charged with offences under the same law during the period 2019-21.

The executive director of Freedom Network, Iqbal Khattak, said Pak journos are increasingly using online spaces to share independent news and critical commentary that are suppressed on the traditional media.

“We have noticed a corresponding increase in efforts to control online expression, either legally or through coordinated digital campaigns against journalists,” Iqbal Khattak said.

"It is unacceptable for democratic societies to criminalize dissent and enforce victimization through arrests and torture of journalists, which must stop forthwith, and which contribute to Pakistan’s abysmally low ranking on global freedom of expression index," he added.

According to the report by the Freedom Network, Pakistan's Punjab is the "most dangerous" region for journalists when it comes to being targeted under the PECA with 10 of the 23 cases reported there, followed by the Pak capital of Islamabad with eight cases.