Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari has dismissed reports that cases have been registered against journalists and rights activists under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016.

In a tweet on Friday, the minister said that after seeing the disturbing reports that Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has registered cases against journalists and rights activists under PECA, she herself checked and found the reports to be 'incorrect'.

Responding to a tweet by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Mazari said a private citizen has sent a complaint to FIA against around 12 journalists.

"FIA examines all complaints but NO FIR has been registered and FIA can't register FIR under PECA without following specified legal procedure," she tweeted. Mazari also asked anyone with contrary evidence in terms of FIRs to come forth so that she can follow up further.

Reacting to the news, Amnesty International also called on the authorities to withdraw the charges immediately.