The government has introduced a significant amendment to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, aiming to strengthen regulations on social media platforms and service providers.
The new bill seeks to remove the legal immunity that currently protects internet companies from penalties if they fail to block or remove objectionable content on their platforms.
Amendment Bill Tabled in Senate
PML-N Senator Anusha Rehman has submitted the Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Senate. Officials have described this as a crucial move to make Pakistan’s digital space safer.
The proposed change specifically targets Section 38 of PECA, which currently shields service providers from direct legal liability. Under the new provision, this protection will be revoked if companies do not comply with content removal orders issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) or other relevant authorities. The proposal aims to make it mandatory for service providers to block objectionable content in all cases.
Service Providers to Face Direct Legal Action
According to the draft, all service providers—including internet, mobile, telephone, web, payment, and data storage or processing companies—will be legally obligated to remove or block objectionable content upon instruction.
Non-compliance will result in direct legal action not only against the companies but also against individual officers found to be responsible for the violations.
Making Social Media Safer
The government states that this move is part of broader efforts to curb harmful, illegal, and objectionable material online. Officials argue that the amendment will hold platforms accountable while also strengthening measures against users who upload such content.
