Pakistan is tightening its grip on digital speech. A recent overhaul of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) has triggered deep concern among journalists, legal experts, and human rights advocates, who warn that the amendments are less about fighting cybercrime and more about silencing dissent.
The new law, framed as a response to the growing threat of misinformation and digital crimes, has significantly expanded the government’s control over online spaces.
In January 2025, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari signed into law sweeping amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), originally passed in 2016. The government framed the move as necessary to combat disinformation and maintain public order in an increasingly digital society.
Civil society organizations, journalists, and digital rights advocates say it could have severe consequences for press freedom and civil liberties in a country where democratic institutions are already under pressure.
They raised concerns about the troubling Section 26(A), the vague definition of ‘fake news’, and the harsh and unclear penalties outlined in the bill—including up to three years in prison and fines exceeding US$7,000 for disseminating “false or fake information”—noting that the law does not clearly define what qualifies as “false,” which could allow it to be selectively used against government critics and opposition voices.
Critics also pointed out that the bill was pushed through without proper consultation or public discussion. They warned that the decision to establish four new bodies to regulate digital content would impose excessive and overlapping layers of control, potentially stifling free expression and open discourse.
These fears are not unfounded. Even before the 2025 amendments, PECA had frequently been invoked to silence dissent, particularly criticism directed at the military and judiciary.
More troubling is the law’s complete restructuring of Pakistan’s digital regulatory landscape.
A new and significantly more powerful agency, the Social Media Regulation and Protection Authority (SMPRA) has been established to oversee and control digital content in Pakistan.
SMPRA is now empowered to block content it deems harmful to national security, public order, or morality, terms left deliberately vague. A new investigative body, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), has also been formed, equipped with powers to arrest and prosecute individuals under PECA.
At a time when Pakistan has over 116 million internet users and a growing reliance on social media for news and political engagement, the impact of these amendments is likely to be wide-ranging and deeply felt.
Crackdown On Journalists And Social Media Users
Pakistan’s press freedom is fragile, and the 2025 PECA amendments intensify this vulnerability. The country ranks 152 out of 180 in the 2024 Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, slipping from 150 in 2023, signaling a deteriorating environment.
Amnesty International argues that these amendments violate international human rights norms, particularly under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Pakistan ratified in 2010. Freedom of expression, a cornerstone of democratic societies, requires restrictions to be precise, necessary, and proportionate—standards this law fails to meet.
Babu Ram Pant, Deputy Regional Director of Campaigns at Amnesty International, South Asia, said, “The amendment introduces a criminal offense against those perpetrating so-called ‘false and fake information’ and imposes a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment with a fine. The vague and ambiguous framing of some elements of the offense, together with a history of the PECA being used to silence dissent, raises concerns that this new offense will chill what little is left of the right to online expression in the country.”
The SMPRA’s power to censor content without judicial oversight or transparent guidelines flouts these principles.
Karachi-based YouTuber Farhan Malik was arrested for allegedly airing fake news on his channel. In Islamabad, journalist Waheed Murad was briefly detained in March after retweeting a statement by a Baloch nationalist figure.
In Rawalpindi, a man was booked under the amended PECA law for posting a TikTok video alleging corruption in the local traffic police. In Bannu, another user was arrested for criticizing religious scholars over the delay in the Ramadan moon sighting.
Meanwhile, the state has pursued exiled journalists through other means. Properties owned by Shaheen Sehbai and Wajahat Saeed Khan—both based abroad—were seized under anti-terrorism laws in early 2025.
While carried out under a different legal framework, these actions reinforce the trend of expanding state power over free expression, especially in digital spaces.
The growing list of those targeted under PECA includes some of the most recognizable names in Pakistani journalism.
Journalist Imran Riaz Khan has faced multiple arrests since 2022 for his pro-Imran Khan commentary. The revised PECA is now being seen as a direct continuation—and escalation—of this pattern.
A Shrinking Space For Expression
The government insists the new law is necessary to protect national unity and prevent chaos. Officials cite incidents where fake content has sparked violence or political unrest.
But critics say the law’s scope is dangerously broad, allowing authorities to label almost any form of dissent as misinformation. The concern is not just theoretical.
In 2024, Pakistan witnessed a series of internet shutdowns amid protests following the general elections, measures that further restricted access to information.
The use of state-backed online campaigns to discredit political opponents, journalists, and even activists has only added to fears of a digital police state.
The new regulations also require social media platforms to register locally, open offices in Pakistan, and respond to takedown requests within 24 hours. Failure to comply could lead to fines or even bans. This raises serious questions about platform neutrality and the future of open discourse in Pakistan’s digital space.
There are also economic implications. Pakistan’s IT sector, which has shown significant growth potential, could suffer as foreign investors and tech companies face mounting legal uncertainties.
Moreover, the law could jeopardize Pakistan’s trade privileges with the European Union, particularly the GSP+ status, which is conditional on adherence to international human rights norms.
For young Pakistanis, who make up more than 64% of the population, this law threatens their most accessible platform for political participation, job opportunities, and creative expression. With television largely controlled and print media struggling, social media has become the last refuge for free debate. That space is now closing rapidly.
While Pakistan is not alone in seeking to regulate digital platforms—India, Turkey, and several other countries have passed similar laws- Pakistan’s fragile democratic structures and the powerful role of its military make misuse more likely.
In most democratic states, such laws are passed after public consultation and often include judicial safeguards. Pakistan’s amendments were fast-tracked without parliamentary debate, civil society input, or any meaningful engagement with journalists and human rights groups.
The lack of transparency and due process has only deepened mistrust. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has called January 29, the day the bill was signed, a “black day” for freedom of expression. Digital rights group Bolo Bhi warned that the law would lead to widespread self-censorship as people begin to fear that even casual commentary or satire could lead to arrest.
Since 2016, more than 150 media workers have been booked under PECA, and with the new amendments, that number is only expected to rise. The murder of journalist Arshad Sharif in 2022, the forced exile of several investigative reporters, and the continuing arrests of those critical of the government point to a worsening environment for free expression.
Across South Asia, media independence is under growing threat. In the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, Pakistan ranked 152nd, and India slipped even further to 159th out of 180 countries, both indicating severe deterioration in journalistic freedoms. These rankings reflect the increasing use of draconian laws, surveillance, and intimidation to silence dissent.
- Via: ET News Desk
- Mail us at: editor (at) eurasiantimes.com
