The federal government on Wednesday tabled the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, proposing changes to the country’s cybercrime laws that require all social media platforms to comply with local content moderation laws.
The draft, a copy of which is available with The Standard, also significantly raises penalties for violations to the cybercrime laws. It states that whoever intentionally disseminates, publicly exhibits or transmits any information “that he knows 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 upto three years or with fine which may extend to two million rupees or with both.”
The proposed bill calls for the establishment of a Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA), which would govern all online content and regulate social media platforms. The authority would have the power to block, remove, or restrict access to unlawful content and can issue guidelines, enforce penalties, and regulate social media enlistment. All social media platforms must register with the authority.
The authority can impose “additional conditions or requisites” as deemed necessary while enlisting any social media platform.
The authority can also seek the removal or blocking of content against the ideology of Pakistan; incitements to violate the law or damage public or private property; and incitement aimed at hate motivated by religious, sectarian or ethnic grounds. Additionally, it can seek the blocking of obscene or pornographic content; fake content; aspersions against any person, including members of judiciary, armed forces, parliament or a provincial assembly; and any content promoting and encouraging terrorism and other forms of violence against the state or its institutions. All social media platforms will be required to remove any content deemed as disinformation within 24 hours.
Under the proposed law, anyone “aggrieved by fake and false information” can approach the SMPRA to seek its removal or blockage, with the authority required to issue orders no later than 24 hours from submission of the complaint.
The draft document calls for the removal from social media platforms any part of parliamentary or provincial assemblies’ proceedings that speakers or the Senate chairman have ordered expunged. It further calls for social media platforms to maintain an effective and transparent procedure for handling complaints about unlawful or offensive online content. Similarly, they are required to supply users with an easily recognizable, directly accessible and permanently available procedure for submitting complaints about unlawful or offensive online content.
The draft of the legislation also allows the government to issue binding directives on online regulations. It protects government officials from legal action if they act in good faith under the law.
A proposed Social Media Protection Tribunal would handle appeals and legal disputes related to online content. It would comprise a chairperson (a qualified judge) and members with expertise in journalism, social media, and technology. It must resolve all cases within 90 days.
A National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) would replace the Cyber Crime Wing of the FIA. It would handle cybercrime investigations and enforcement. It would be led by a Director General with the powers of an Inspector General of Police.
An envisaged Social Media Complaint Council would receive and process complaints from the public regarding online content. It would be composed of professionals with expertise in media, I.T., and digital rights.
In its statement of objectives, the bill aims to “modernize and enhance” the legislative framework for combating cybercrime in Pakistan. The legislation, it states, seeks to safeguard citizens, institutions and the economy from digital vulnerabilities while fostering a secure and inclusive digital environment.