President Asif Zardari has sanctioned the contentious Prevention of Electronic Crimes (PECA) (Amendment) Bill 2025, notwithstanding opposition and protests from journalistic organizations.
The PECA Amendment Bill 2025 was enacted following the endorsement of the President of Pakistan. The National Assembly had given its approval to the bill on January 23, 2025.
On Tuesday, the Senate approved the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Amendment Bill, 2025, with a majority vote, despite significant disruptions from the opposition and a walkout by journalists who left the Press Gallery in protest.
The journalistic community nationwide has denounced the bill, organizing protests and labeling it as detrimental to the principles of freedom of expression.
The aim behind the act is to control false news, fake news, hate speech, misinformation, illegal content, content deemed against Islam, the security or defense of Pakistan, public order, and content critical of constitutional institutions such as the judiciary and armed forces and content that incites violence.
Besides electronic media, the act is also implemented on social media and it will significantly impact social media users. Under this act, a Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority will be established to monitor social media content.
