Pakistan’s newly amended cybercrime law has raised alarms among journalists, media organizations, and civil society, with critics warning that it poses a serious threat to press freedom and free expression. The amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), now enforced under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, introduce vague provisions on hate speech and misinformation that could be misused to suppress critical journalism.
The International Press Institute (IPI) and local press freedom advocates have urged the government to revise the law in line with international human rights standards and to consult key stakeholders before implementation. However, the legislation was fast-tracked and enacted on January 29 without meaningful input from media organizations, sparking protests across the country.
Journalists in Pakistan already operate under significant legal and physical threats, including censorship, harassment, and arrests. PECA, originally introduced in 2016, has frequently been used to silence dissent. In December 2024 alone, 150 journalists faced charges under PECA for offenses such as glorification of terrorism, cyber terrorism, hate speech, and cyberstalking—many of which were linked to critical reporting on state institutions.
Past attempts to expand PECA’s scope have been met with resistance. In 2022, the government sought to amend Section 20 of the law to criminalize defamation of public officials, making it a non-bailable offense. However, the High Court struck down this amendment as unconstitutional, citing its infringement on free expression. The latest amendments, however, have reignited concerns about the law’s potential for abuse.
One of the most controversial provisions in the amended law is Section 26A, which criminalizes the “intentional dissemination, exhibition, or transmission of information” that the sender knows or believes to be “false or fake” and that may cause “public fear, panic, disorder, or unrest.” The vague language of this provision leaves it open to broad and arbitrary interpretation, as terms like “false” and “fake” remain undefined. Individuals found guilty under this section face penalties of up to three years in prison or fines of up to two million rupees (approximately $7,000). Press freedom groups argue that such severe punishments for alleged misinformation violate international standards on freedom of expression.
Further intensifying concerns, the amended law establishes several new regulatory bodies, including the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority, Social Media Complaint Council, Social Media Protection Tribunals, and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency. These entities will oversee content regulation, online speech, and enforcement, but all appointments will be made by the federal government without independent oversight.
The Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority has been granted broad censorship powers, including the ability to block or remove content deemed to be against Pakistan’s ideology, false, or defamatory to state institutions. Given that no exemptions exist for journalistic content, media outlets fear that investigative reporting and open debate on social issues could be stifled. The law also raises concerns about restricting Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), further limiting access to independent information.
Critics argue that the absence of judicial oversight in these regulatory bodies creates an unchecked mechanism for controlling digital discourse. Appeals against the Authority’s decisions bypass the High Court and go directly to the Supreme Court, making legal recourse complex and costly. This could force media organizations and individuals to self-censor to avoid legal harassment.
The Pakistan Press Foundation has called for the immediate suspension of the law’s implementation until a thorough review is conducted. IPI and other media advocacy groups are urging the government to align the legislation with international freedom of expression commitments. They recommend clearly defining legal provisions, ensuring independent judicial oversight, and adopting alternative approaches to combating misinformation, such as media literacy initiatives and fact-checking mechanisms.
As legal challenges against the amended PECA law make their way to the High Courts and the Supreme Court, the debate over digital rights and press freedom in Pakistan is set to intensify.
