———– Journalists, opposition parties stage walkout during lower house session
———– The bill aims to regulate social media and online content in the country
———–Industries Minister tabled amendment bill
———– Govt lowers punishment for spreading “fake news” to 3 years
———– Journalist bodies announce protests, to challenge tweaks
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Thursday approved the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, without opposition, making changes to the existing law, drawning severe criticism from journalist bodies.
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Secretary General Arshad Ansari told Geo News that journalists would challenge the tweaks in the court and announced staging protests as well as boycotting assembly sessions.
The bill was approved within minutes after Federal Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain presented it as the opposition parties had already staged a walkout.
The draft titled “Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025” includes new definitions, the establishment of regulatory and investigative bodies, and stricter penalties for disseminating “false” information.
The government aims to lower the punishment for spreading “fake information” online to three years, according to a draft of the document, while they may also face a fine of up to Rs2 million.
“Whoever intentionally disseminates, publicly exhibits or transmits any information through any information system, that he knows or has reason to believe or has reason to believe to be false or fake and likely to cause or create a sense of fear, panic or disorder or unrest in general public or society shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend up to three years or with fine which may extend to two million rupees or with both,” Section 26A of the bill said.
The parliament’s lower house greenlighted the bill hours after journalist bodies — including the PFUJ, Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors, All Pakistan Newspapers Society, Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors, and Pakistan Broadcasters Association — had rejected the proposed amendments.
In a statement, PFUJ secretary general Arshad Ansari said the government had previously assured the journalist bodies of tabling the bill with consultation. “They previously passed a similar bill in Punjab and now they done the same in Centre.”
Beside announcing countrywide protests against the amendment bill, he said that they would also challenge it at relevant forums, including courts.
Meanwhile, the newly amendment bill also proposes the establishment of Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA), the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and the Social Media Protection Tribunal.
The statement of objects and reasons said that the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill 2025 aims to modernise and enhance the legislative framework for combating cybercrime in Pakistan, ensuring alignment with present-day requirements and addressing the growing complexities of cyber threats.
Furthermore, it stated, any person “aggrieved by fake and false information” can approach the authority for removal or blocking access to such information and the authority would issue orders no later than 24 hours on the request.
According to the bill, the authority should consist of a chairperson and eight other members out of which the secretary Ministry of Interior, the Pemra chairman and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman or any member of PTA. “The Chairperson and five members, other than ex-officio members, shall be appointed by the federal government for a non-extendable period of live years,” it added.
The proposed changes also stated that the authority might require any social media platform to enlist with it any manner, form and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed.
It added that apart from the requirements of the act, additional conditions or requisites as deemed appropriate might also be stipulated while enlisting a social media platform.
