Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday signed the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Peca) (Amendment) Bill 2025 into law, despite serious reservations and protests from the journalist community.
According to a press release issued by the President’s House, the president signed the bill after it was passed by both the National Assembly and Senate. He also signed the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2025 and the National Commission on the Status of Women (Amendment) Bill 2025.
The development follows the Senate’s passage of amendments to the controversial bill, sparking protests across the country.
Opposition parties and journalists’ bodies staged joint protests across the country, calling the bill “controversial” due to the “lack of clarity” in many legal aspects, including the term “fake news.” Media workers fear that the amended law will be used to target them and undermine press freedom.
Meanwhile, ANP’s Aimal Wali called the law “draconian,” as it imposes restrictions on freedom of speech. “The bill smells of boots,” he said, announcing a walkout from parliament with other members of his party.
Peca Bill:
The bill titled “Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025” includes new definitions, the establishment of regulatory and investigative bodies, and stricter penalties for disseminating “false” information.
The bill stipulates a penalty of up to three years imprisonment for spreading “fake information” online, along with a fine of up to Rs 2 million.
The amended bill also proposes the creation of the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA), the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), and the Social Media Protection Tribunal.
This bill aims to modernize Pakistan’s legislative framework for combating cybercrime, ensuring it meets contemporary needs and addresses the growing complexities of cyber threats.
The bill also states that any individual “aggrieved by fake and false information” can approach the authority to remove or block access to such information.
