President Asif Ali Zardari has signed three significant bills into law, including the contentious Prevention of Electronic Crimes Amendment Bill, 2025 (PECA), sparking widespread debate. The bill was passed by the National Assembly and later approved by the Senate before receiving presidential assent. Alongside PECA, the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill, 2025 and the National Commission on the Status of Women (Amendment) Bill, 2025 were also enacted.
The amended PECA law introduces stringent penalties for spreading false or fake information on social media. Under Section 26A, individuals found guilty of intentionally disseminating false content that incites fear, panic or unrest among the public could face up to three years in prison, a fine of up to two million rupees, or both. The law also establishes new regulatory bodies, including the Social Protection and Regulatory Authority, the Cybercrime Investigation Agency, and the Social Media Protection Tribunal, which will oversee online content regulation and enforcement.
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According to the bill, authorities will have the power to direct social media platforms to remove or block content that is deemed harmful to national security, public order, or religious harmony. This includes content against the ideology of Pakistan, material inciting violence, hate speech, pornography and any posts making defamatory remarks against the judiciary, armed forces, or parliament. Furthermore, any content suspected of being false beyond a reasonable doubt could be subject to removal.
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly opposed the PECA amendments, arguing that the law is designed to suppress independent media, social media discourse and freedom of speech. The PFUJ has condemned the lack of consultation with stakeholders before passing the amendments and has announced a nationwide strike in protest.
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