Lack of Clear Definition for “Fake News” in the Bill
Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Interior approved the “Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Amendment Bill 2025” despite opposition from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and journalist organizations.
Key Points:
- JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza questioned the rushed approval process, asking how the bill could be approved so quickly without enough time for consultation.
- The bill lacks a clear definition of “fake news,” raising concerns over how it will be identified.
- PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui acknowledged journalists’ concerns, but emphasized the importance of addressing fake news on social media.
- The amendment bill proposes penalties for spreading “fake information” online, including up to three years of imprisonment or a fine of Rs2 million.
The bill also proposes the establishment of the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA) and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), giving authorities more control over online content.
