January 28, 2025
By Rana Malhi & Rehan Piracha
ISLAMABAD
On Tuesday, January 28, the Senate passed contentious amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Bill, 2025, despite significant protests from the opposition, and yet another walkout by journalists from the press gallery. The bill, moved by Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain on behalf of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, now only awaits presidential assent to become law.
‘PECA bill politically motivated’
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Shibli Faraz, strongly criticized the bill during the session, arguing that its intent was not to safeguard public interests but to target a specific political party.
“Laws are meant to protect people, not to oppress them,” Faraz stated. “When new legislation is introduced, its intent must be carefully scrutinized. This bill appears to be designed to target a particular political party rather than serving the broader public interest.”
He condemned the rushed manner in which the National Assembly had approved the amendments the previous week, which sparked similar protests and a journalist walkout.
Proposed amendments rejected
During the Senate’s clause-by-clause approval process, motions for additional amendments by Senator Kamran Murtaza and Senator Ali Zafar were dismissed. Senator Murtaza argued that the standing committee had not adequately reviewed his proposed amendments.
However, Deputy Speaker Syeedal Khan clarified that the committee had already rejected them, as noted in its report. The PECA Amendment Bill 2025 was subsequently passed by a majority vote.
Minister says law not targeted towards journalists
Following the bill’s passage, Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain sought to address concerns raised by opposition members and journalists. He emphasized that the legislation was neither fixed in its current form nor intended to target journalists.
“This law will primarily deal with social media, not TV channels or newspapers,” he explained, adding that the bill could be refined further. “Journalists have no reason to worry,” he assured.
According to a report by the Senate Standing Committee on Interior, the amendments aim to modernize Pakistan’s legislative framework for addressing cybercrime. The Interior Ministry justified the bill as a good-faith effort to protect public rights and enhance the effectiveness of existing laws.
Three-year prison term for fake news online
Despite what the Rana Tanveer said, the PECA amendments have created ripples of fear among civilians especially journalists by introducing Section 26(A), which prescribes severe penalties for spreading “fake news” online – the definition of which is vague and unclear. Individuals who ‘intentionally disseminate’ false information that could incite fear, panic, or unrest in society, face up to three years of imprisonment, a fine of Rs2million, or both.
The legislation has drawn widespread criticism throughout its legislative journey. Civil society groups, media organizations, and opposition parties have expressed concerns over its potential misuse to suppress dissent and limit free speech. Critics argue that the law’s broad definition of “fake news” could enable political control and curtail online discourse.
Despite these reservations, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) supported the amendments during the voting process, facilitating the bill’s advancement through the National Assembly and Senate.
If fully enacted, the PECA amendments will mark a significant shift in Pakistan’s regulatory approach to digital media and cybercrime. While the government defends the legislation as a necessary response to evolving challenges in the digital age, many fear it poses a threat to democratic freedoms and the free flow of information.
The coming weeks are likely to see further scrutiny and debate as the amendments await presidential assent, with serious questions remaining about their potential impact on freedom of expression and the broader democratic landscape in Pakistan.