Karachi, Jan. 28 -- Karachi witnessed widespread protests this week after a Pakistani court sentenced human rights activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha, to a combined 17 years in prison under Pakistan's controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The verdict has reignited concerns over shrinking civil liberties, freedom of expression and the use of cybercrime laws to silence dissent in the country.

Scores of journalists, lawyers and civil society activists gathered in Karachi to protest the ruling, calling it an attack on constitutional rights. The demonstrators condemned PECA, arguing that the law is being used to criminalise criticism of state institutions and suppress voices questioning enforced...