ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Assembly approved on Thursday amendments to the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act ( Peca ), granting govt unbridled powers to regulate and control social media platforms, including the authority to send users to prison for spreading disinformation.
The act was hastily passed after opposition legislators staged a strike to reject the law. The policy sparked widespread protests, especially among reporters, with reviewers saying the administration is seeking to further reduce freedom of speech.
The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, introduced in the National Assembly on Wednesday, may establish an organization with the authority to order the immediate expulsion of “unlawful and offensive” information from social media, such as material critical of judges, the armed forces, legislature, or municipal assemblies. Individuals and companies who blog for information may also be blocked on cultural media.
The legislation requires social media platforms to record with the new Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority, and those that do not agree may experience temporary or permanent restrictions. The bill also makes misinformation a criminal offence punishable with three years in prison and a Pakistani Rs 2 million fine ($ 7,150 ).
Govt’s choice to accept the bill comes nearly a month after Pakistan blocked the app ‘X’ back of an election that Imran Khan’s criticism party promises was rigged. ‘X’ is also restricted in the country, but some people use virtual private networks to get around it, much like in other states with tight internet censorship.
The legislation also broadens the definition of prohibited content to include substance that stimulates violence, prejudice, or slander, as well as information that is dangerous to national protection.
The legislation was passed with overwhelming aid in the National Assembly, despite rallies from members of the press.
As the bill was introduced, journalists staged a protest from the media gallery in rally, condemning what they called restrictions on press freedom and the potential for govt overreach in regulating website discourse.
The Peca amendments also pave the way for a new social media protection tribunal to expedite cases involving online crimes, with the tribunal required to resolve cases within 90 days.
Furthermore, the bill proposes the dissolution of the Federal Investigation Agency’s ( FIA ) cyber crime wing, with its responsibilities transferring to the newly established National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency.
Opposition leaders have voiced strong concerns over the amendments, accusing the government of using the law to suppress dissent and limit freedom of expression online. The current govt, however, maintains that the changes are necessary to safeguard the public from harmful and illegal content that could disrupt national security.
