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ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to amend the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) to impose stricter penalties for spreading fake news and hate speech content on electronic and social media platforms.
Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry confirmed that the federal cabinet had approved changes in two laws – the Election Act, 2017 and PECA.
Under the first law, Fawad said parliamentarians would be allowed to take part in election campaigns, while under the second law, defaming people on social media had been made a cognisable offense. He added that courts would be required to decide defamation cases in six months.
The federal government decided to make the amendment through an ordinance next week after its approval by the federal cabinet. The amendment proposes increase imprisonment of an individual involved in spreading fake news and hate speech for up to five years besides imposition of a hefty fine of up to Rs1 million.
The laws would pave the way for penalising defamation against the army, judiciary, public servants and government institutions An ordinance, criminalising defamation against the civil and military institutions as well as public office-holders will be promulgated.
The move comes as the prime minister expressed dismay over malicious social media campaign targeting him other important personalities and government’s attempt to curb the spread of fake news and strengthen defamation laws.
The amended act will also pave way for action over hate speech and fake news against the national institutions including the armed forces and national figures. Under the amended law, the violators will be issued non-bailable arrest warrants and up to Rs1 million fine.
The Fake News Ordinance will also be enforced on social media platforms. Citizens will be allowed to register a complaint against fake news and trial of electronic crimes will be completed in six months. The court will be accountable to the high court judge over failure to complete the trial of electronic crimes within six months.
In November 2020, the government framed social media laws under PECA, drawing criticism from digital rights activists and internet companies who challenged the laws in court In March 2021, Prime Minister Imran Khan had constituted an inter-ministerial committee to review the controversial social media rules.
The committee had prepared the rules by August and they were passed by the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases on September 23. The federal cabinet had approved the amendments to digital media rules on September 29 and the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication had notified them on November 14.
The Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules, 2021, allowed the telecom regulator in the country to block any website or platform on the directives of court and federal government or under any law.