Man using social media in Pakistan
Islamabad: The ‘National Assembly’, the lower house of Pakistan’s parliament, on Thursday approved controversial changes in cyber law. Under the changes in cyber law, spreading fake news can lead to a jail term of up to three years and a fine of Pakistani rupees 20 lakh. However, opposition parties and journalists present to cover the House proceedings boycotted it.
PTI protested
The Electronic Crimes Prevention (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was introduced in the House by Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar a day earlier. This bill is also called ‘PECA’ in short form. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MPs walked out of the House in protest against the arrest of party founder Imran Khan. MPs from the opposition Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazal also opposed the bill.
Journalists protested
The reporters present in the Parliament gallery to cover the proceedings also walked out of the House to protest the bill as they believe it is a violation of freedom of expression. The protest was organized by the Parliamentary Reporters Association.
Is there a new provision?
In the Bill, a new provision has been proposed under Section 26(A) to punish those who spread ‘fake news’ through online medium. It says, “Whoever knowingly transmits, publicly displays or transmits through any information system any information which he knows to be false or fraudulent and which is likely to cause fear among the general public or society.” or is likely to cause disorder or disturbance, shall be punished with imprisonment of up to three years, or a fine of up to 20 lakh Pakistani rupees (US$7,150), or both.”
Also know
In the Bill, it has also been proposed to establish a Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority, which will perform various functions related to social media, such as education, awareness, training, regulation etc. The bill will become law if passed by the Senate or the Upper House and then signed by the President. Besides, the National Assembly also passed the ‘Digital Nation Pakistan Bill, 2024’ introduced by Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Khawaja. The bill aims to create a digital identity for citizens, to centralize social, economic and administrative data and transform Pakistan into a digital nation, thereby providing a digital society, digital economy and digital governance. Could. (Language)
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