The federal government has introduced amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016, reducing the maximum jail term for “intentionally disseminating false or fake information” from seven years to three. The revised penalties include imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to Rs2 million, or both.
The proposed Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act 2025 introduces new definitions, the formation of regulatory and investigative bodies, and additional measures to combat the spread of misinformation.
According to the draft, individuals spreading information they know to be false, likely to incite fear or disorder, will face stricter penalties. The proposed changes also include establishing a Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority with broad powers to block or remove harmful online content.
The authority, consisting of a chairperson and eight members, will have the mandate to ensure public safety and uphold state interests. It will process complaints from individuals affected by fake or harmful information, issuing directives to remove or block such content within 24 hours of receiving a complaint.
The draft also specifies that social media platforms will be required to register with the authority and comply with prescribed regulations and conditions, including payment of fees.
Additionally, the authority will have the power to remove or block content that:
- Violates Pakistan’s ideology.
- Incites public unrest or illegal actions.
- Promotes hatred, violence, or terrorism.
- Contains obscene or defamatory material.
- Targets state institutions, armed forces, or judiciary.
The amendments propose creating Social Media Protection Tribunals comprising a high court judge, a journalist, and a software engineer to address complaints within 90 days. Appeals can be filed with the Supreme Court within 60 days.
The draft also outlines the establishment of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to investigate and prosecute cybercrime-related offenses.
