The Pakistani government has introduced sweeping amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), aimed at more stringent regulation of social media content. The PECA Amendment Bill 2025, presented in the National Assembly by Law Minister Azam Nasir Tarar, expands the definition of illegal online content to include fake news, defamation and slander, as well as material deemed harmful to Islam, national security and public order.
The bill proposes stringent penalties for spreading false information, with offenders facing up to three years in prison and a fine of Rs 2 million. Key provisions include the creation of three new institutions: the Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA), the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), and a Social Media Safety Tribunal.
The DRPA will oversee the regulation of social media platforms, have the power to block illegal content, and enforce digital safety measures. The NCCIA will investigate cybercrimes, and the tribunal will handle social media-related cases, with decisions expected within 90 days. The amendments also require social media platforms to have offices in Pakistan and comply with local regulations.
The bill has drawn sharp criticism from journalists’ associations, including the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ), which argue that it threatens press freedom and freedom of expression. PFUJ officials called the amendments a “fraud” and warned of protests if the government did not withdraw the bill.
The bill has been referred to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Home Affairs for further review.
