Pakistan’s government has moved forward with a proposed amendment to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 that would significantly tighten oversight of internet service providers and social media platforms. Introduced in the Senate by a PML-N Senator, the Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill 2025 seeks to remove legal protections that currently shield online platforms and service providers from action if they fail to block or take down objectionable content identified by authorities. Officials describe the move as an effort to build a more controlled and secure online environment while ensuring compliance with national laws.
At the heart of the amendment is a revision to Section 38 of PECA, which presently grants immunity to service providers for content posted or transmitted through their platforms. Under the proposed changes, this shield would be withdrawn for companies that do not comply with orders from PTA or other designated institutions to remove harmful or illegal material. This shift in liability is intended to compel faster and more direct action on content flagged by regulators and public agencies, creating a clearer legal pathway for accountability when companies fail to act.
The draft bill extends its reach beyond traditional social media platforms to include a wide array of service providers. Internet, mobile, telephone, web hosting, payment services, and data storage or processing companies would all be legally bound to comply with official content removal orders. By making compliance mandatory, the amendment aims to address long-standing criticisms that existing regulations allowed platforms to delay or ignore directives from authorities, leaving harmful material online for extended periods. It signals an expanded scope of regulatory oversight that covers both domestic and foreign operators working in Pakistan’s digital space.
A particularly notable element of the proposed legislation is the introduction of direct legal action not only against companies but also against individual officers deemed responsible for non-compliance. This change would close what critics describe as a loophole in the current framework, where corporate entities could avoid penalties while decision-makers within those companies faced no personal consequences. Under the new draft, officers could be held personally liable for failing to implement content removal directives, a measure that increases the stakes for internal compliance processes. Supporters argue that the change will bring stronger enforcement and clarity, while opponents have raised concerns over potential impacts on operational freedom and privacy safeguards. The bill is now under discussion in the Senate, with further debate expected as stakeholders from multiple sectors review its implications for Pakistan’s digital landscape.
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