On Wednesday, National Assembly of Pakistan witnessed the introduction of a bill proposing significant amendments to the country’s cybercrime laws. The draft, titled the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2025, outlines key changes, including the introduction of prison terms for spreading disinformation, the dissolution of the FIA’s Cybercrime Wing, the creation of a new investigative agency, and the establishment of an authority with expansive powers over social media. According to the bill, anyone intentionally spreading false or misleading information likely to create fear, panic, or unrest in society will face imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of up to Rs2 million, or both.
The bill also proposes the formation of the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority, which will be headquartered in Islamabad. This authority will oversee social media platform operations, ensure the protection of users’ rights, and take disciplinary action against platforms failing to comply with the amended law. The authority will have the power to block or remove unlawful content, including material that targets the judiciary, armed forces, or other state institutions, as well as content that contradicts Pakistan’s ideology or encourages illegal activities. Social media platforms will be required to register with the authority, with the risk of facing temporary or permanent bans if they fail to comply. The authority will also have the power to block content from banned organizations or individuals.
Additionally, the amendment bill proposes the establishment of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which will replace the FIA’s Cybercrime Wing. The NCCIA will be tasked with investigating illegal activities on social media and will have powers similar to those of police officers. The bill also proposes the creation of a Social Media Complaint Council and a Social Media Protection Tribunal to enforce the provisions of the amended act. The tribunal, which will be chaired by a former high court judge, will be responsible for addressing cases where social media platforms fail to comply with directives from the authority.
The introduction of the bill was met with protests from opposition lawmakers, who criticized Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq for denying Opposition Leader Omar Ayub Khan the floor before the question hour. The protest escalated as PTI lawmakers chanted slogans and tore agenda copies in support of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. In addition to the cybercrime amendments, the assembly also considered a separate bill proposing amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). These amendments aim to streamline the legal process by simplifying the filing of FIRs, preventing false complaints, and reducing police misconduct.
The bill also includes provisions for using modern devices as evidence and mandates the completion of criminal trials within one year. The assembly also passed the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (Implementation) Bill and discussed energy sector issues, including improvements in K-Electric’s infrastructure.
The Standing Committee on Interior is scheduled to meet Thursday to discuss the Peca Amendment Bill in greater detail. As the debate continues, the proposed amendments are expected to spark further discussions on balancing national security, regulatory oversight, and individual freedoms in the digital realm. These developments will be closely monitored by lawmakers and civil society groups, as they could significantly impact Pakistan’s approach to digital governance and freedom of expression.
