Pakistan Passes Controversial Cybercrime Law Amendments Amidst Protests
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s National Assembly passed significant amendments to its cybercrime laws on January 24, 2025, sparking immediate controversy and protests. The amendments, introduced swiftly and passed amidst a walkout by opposition PTI lawmakers and journalists, introduce new regulations targeting "fake news" and establish a powerful regulatory authority for social media. The move has raised concerns about freedom of expression and potential misuse of the law to stifle dissent.
The "Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2025" introduces Section 26(A), criminalizing the dissemination of "fake news" that could cause fear, panic, or disorder. This provision carries a potential penalty of up to three years imprisonment and a fine of Rs2 million. Critics argue that the definition of "fake news" is overly broad and susceptible to manipulation. The bill also establishes the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority, granting it sweeping powers to regulate, enlist, and even block social media platforms. The authority can order the removal of content deemed against Pakistan’s ideology, inciting violence, or containing "aspersions" against individuals, including members of the judiciary, armed forces, and parliament.
The rapid passage of the bill, with minimal consultation with stakeholders, has drawn sharp criticism from journalists’ organizations and digital rights activists. The Joint Action Committee (JAC), representing various journalists’ rights groups, condemned the lack of consultation and demanded the government withdraw the amendments. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) labeled the amendments an "attack on freedom of expression," highlighting concerns about media suppression. The Karachi Press Club (KPC) echoed these sentiments, arguing that the amendments threaten freedom of expression and called for greater transparency in the legislative process. Digital rights activists expressed alarm at the potential for abuse of the new regulations and the chilling effect they could have on online discourse.
The government defends the amendments as necessary to combat the spread of misinformation and regulate the increasingly influential digital space. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar insisted that the bill targets social media regulation, not working journalists. He emphasized that registered journalists would not be affected and that the new regulations aim to address issues such as child pornography and deepfakes. Tarar also highlighted the need to address the unregulated nature of social media and create a level playing field for traditional media outlets. He invited journalists’ bodies for consultation on the formation of the new regulatory authority and agency, urging them to read the bill thoroughly before forming judgments.
However, critics remain skeptical. They point to the vague language of the bill, the lack of clear definitions, and the broad powers granted to the regulatory authority as potential tools for censorship and suppression of dissent. The provision allowing appeals of the tribunal’s decisions only to the Supreme Court raises concerns about due process. The hasty passage of the bill without adequate consultation further fuels suspicions about the government’s intentions.
The controversy surrounding the cybercrime law amendments underscores the growing tension between the need to regulate online spaces and the fundamental right to freedom of expression. As Pakistan navigates this complex landscape, the challenge lies in finding a balance that protects citizens from online harms without unduly restricting their ability to express themselves freely and hold those in power accountable. The coming days and weeks will likely see further debate and legal challenges to these controversial amendments, as journalists, activists, and citizens grapple with their implications for the future of online freedom in Pakistan.