Lahore: Pakistan’s opposition said on Thursday the state is seeking to further reduce freedom of speech a day after it proposed sweeping controls on social media that may involve blocking programs and sending customers to jail for spreading disinformation. The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, introduced in the National Assembly by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Wednesday, may make an organization with the power to order “unlawful and unpleasant information” blocked from social media, and to boycott individuals and organizations from social media
Social media platforms may be required to register with the new Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority, and those failing to comply with the law may face temporary or permanent restrictions.
The law also makes spreading disinformation a criminal offense, punishable by three years in prison and a fine of 2 million rupees ( USD 7,150 ).
The move comes nearly a month after Pakistan blocked the X system back of an election that the opposition group of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan says was rigged. X is also blocked in the country, although some people use virtual private networks to access it, like in other places with small internet settings.
Khan has a big following on social media, especially X, where followers usually spread demands for his discharge. Khan has been behind bars since 2023, when he was arrested for transplant. Khan’s gathering also uses social media to arrange demonstrations.
The leader of the opposition denounced the proposed policy, saying it was aimed at more suppressing freedom of speech. Omar Ayub Khan, who is not related to the imprisoned past top, said the bill was “lay a basis for the reduction of tones advocating for democratic rights”.
The new company would be able to get the immediate blocking of unlawful information targeting courts, the armed forces, congress or municipal assemblies. The law also forbids sharing remarks from legislature that have been struck from the report.
Muslim advertising has faced growing repression in recent years. Reporters have said they face position pressure to avoid using Imran Khan’s brand, and most TV stations have begun referring to him only as the “founder of the PTI” group.
Animal rights defenders and reporters ‘ organizations have vowed to resist the rules, but with the federal holding a lot, its passing is all but assured.
Afzal Butt, chairman of the Federal Union of Journalists, said the law was an attempt to suppress the internet, social media and editors.
The state says the law is important to limit the spread of deception.
