The president has signed the controversial PECA Act Amendment Bill 2025 and the Digital Nation Bill 2025 into law. Both bills had previously been passed by the National Assembly and the Senate, paving the way for their enactment.

The PECA Act Amendment Bill 2025, which amends the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), has been a subject of intense debate due to its implications for freedom of expression and digital rights. With the president's approval, the bill has now officially become law.

The president has also ratified the Digital Nation Bill 2025, aimed at promoting digital transformation and enhancing Pakistan's technological infrastructure.

Furthermore, the president signed the National Commission on the Status of Women Amendment Bill 2025, which seeks to strengthen the commission's role in safeguarding women's rights and addressing gender-based issues.

What is PECA amendments bill?

The federal government introduced the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act 2025, proposing significant changes to the existing cybercrime laws.

A central feature of the amendment is the establishment of the Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA), tasked with regulating online social media content, ensuring the protection of citizens' digital rights, and combating cybercrimes in Pakistan.

Also Read: Fake news to be punishable with 3-year jail, Rs2m fine or both

The draft bill will ensure compatibility with the requirements of the modern era and help address the growing complexity of cyber threats. The amendment has been prepared keeping in mind the increasing number of digital technologies and cybercrime. If approved, the Act will make citizens, institutions, and the economy safer. The amendment is an attempt to protect the digital environment from threats while also promoting it.

Key features of the proposed amendments

The DRPA will have the authority to:
- Remove, block, and access obscene or prohibited content online. Moreover, spreading fake news will be punishable by imprisonment for up to three years, fine up to Rs2 million, or both.
- Investigate complaints regarding prohibited or obscene content.
- Take action against individuals involved in sharing unlawful material.
The authority will consist of nine members, including a chairperson appointed by the federal government for a three-year term. Four of the members will be appointed from the government and five from the private sector. The federal government will appoint a chairperson and three members for three years.
The composition includes the interior secretary, the IT Ministry secretary, the chairmen of PTA and PEMRA, as well as professionals from journalism, software development, legal, and IT sectors. All the decisions within the authority will be made with a majority.

The chairperson of DRPA will have exclusive authority to issue orders to block any illegal online content. The authority will have to 'confirm’ the decision of the chairperson within 48 hours.
Definition of social media
The amendment introduces a new definition of "social media platform", including tools, software, websites, applications, and systems that allow access to social media platforms. A new clause in Section 2 of PECA further defines terms defined in the law.
The amendment will also improve cooperation with social media platforms.
Regulation and oversight
The DRPA will oversee compliance with regulations, setting conditions for social media platforms to operate in Pakistan and determining the timeframe for them to implement orders. Social media companies will be required to register and may be directed to establish local offices or representatives.
The authority will have the power to 'register' social media platforms and set conditions for their operations.
Illegal content classification
The current definition of 'illegal online content' includes anti-Islam, against national security or defence, public order, indecency, immoral content, contempt of court or abuse.

The amendment lists 16 categories of illegal content, including:
- Blasphemy, hate speech, and incitement to violence, communal hatred, crime, or terrorism.
- Content against national security, public order, or morality.
- Copyright infringement, pornography, fake news, defamation, and blackmail targeting institutions, including the armed forces.
Promoting safe internet use
The DRPA will provide education, research, encouragement, and facilitation of social media. It will also work with federal and provincial governments on digital ethics and ensure the online protection of users. As per the draft of amendments, online content will be regulated, and safe and responsible use of the internet will be promoted.

Also Read: Senate passes controversial PECA amendments, 'Digital Nation Pakistan' bills

Objectives of amendment

The proposed changes aim to modernize cybercrime legislation to meet the challenges posed by the rapid advancement of digital technologies. The government seeks to:

Establish a strong legal framework to counter cyber crimes.
Offer a clear definition and regulation of illegal online content.
Protect citizens’ digital rights and ensure online safety.
Address issues such as hate speech, misinformation, and content inciting violence.
Foster collaboration with social media platforms for effective content regulation.

Senate passes bill

On Tuesday, the Senate had passed the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2025 and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Amendments) Bill, 2025 with a majority vote amid a ruckus by the opposition benches. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented both bills.

Despite opposition protests, the government succeeded in getting both bills approved. Tarar emphasized that both the National Assembly and Senate Standing Committees had unanimously approved the bills. He criticised opposition members for their objections without engaging in the Standing Committee's discussions and for submitting amendments after the meetings.

During the Senate session, opposition members staged a strong protest, chanting "PECA act na-manzoor" and "kala qanoon na-manzoor".

Journalists' nationwide protests

On Tuesday, as the bill sailed through the Senate, the journalist community, comprising press clubs of various cities and journalist bodies across the country, staged protests in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar, and other cities against amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

In Islamabad, the police had blocked the route at D-Chowk by placing barbed wires and arrested a few protesting journalists.

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists chapters, along with Punjab Union of Journalists, National Press Club, Lahore Press Club, Karachi Press Club, Peshawar Press Club, and several press associations across Pakistan, took to the streets against the controversial amendments that they alleged were aimed at muting freedom of speech.

Journalists in Lakki Marwat, Chishtian, Karak, Sanghar, Khairpur, Dadu, Multan, Okara, Kohat, Rahim Yar Khan, Hyderabad, Mirpur Khas, Thatha, Jhang and other cities also held rallies and processions demanding the government withdraw the controversial amendments to the law.

Law challenged

The PECA Amendment Act 2025 was challenged in the Lahore High Court on Wednesday. A petition was filed by journalist Jafar Bin Yar through his lawyer Nadeem Sarwar and included the federal government, PTA, and other relevant parties as respondents.

He argued that the amendments, especially those related to "fake news" penalties, were a threat to the constitutional right to free speech. The petition also stated that the newly passed amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) undermine the constitutional right to freedom of expression.