The Senate on Tuesday passed the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2025, amidst protests from the opposition and journalists, who have vowed to protest the legislation.
The new amendments seek to penalize the sharing of “fake news” online, imposing up to three years’ imprisonment for any violators, a fine up to Rs. 2 million, or both. Having already been passed by the National Assembly, the bill will now become law after approval of President Asif Ali Zardari.
Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain moved the bill on behalf of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who is currently on a trip to the U.S.
Taking the floor, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Shibli Faraz criticized the bill, claiming it was aimed at targeting a “specific political party,” i.e. the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). “When a new law is introduced, its intent is scrutinized,” he said, stressing it was the opposition’s job to criticize. “Whether it’s social media or any other medium, it should operate within specific boundaries,” he said, alleging the law as presented sought to oppress the public. He also criticized the speed at which the law was approved, stating it should have been debated properly in both houses of Parliament.
Following the bill’s approval, mover Rana Tanveer stressed the bill was not aimed at professional journalists. “This law will not deal with TV or newspapers but social media,” he said, while adding it could be improved with additional amendments in future.
The Senate also passed the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill, 2024, which aims to create a digital identity for citizens to centralize social, economic and governance data. It also aims to provide for the transformation of Pakistan into a digital nation, enabling a digital society, digital economy and digital governance. Opposition lawmakers have criticized the bill, claiming it lacks sufficient data protection to ensure the public’s rights are protected.
Journalist protests
A day earlier, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) had announced it would stage a nationwide protest from 3 p.m. against the controversial legislation. In a statement, the representative body of various journalist groups had urged the Government of Pakistan to consult all stakeholders before its passage.
“We reject these amendments, as they go against the spirit of the Constitution,” it said, vowing to challenge it in court. Following the bill’s passage, the PFUJ said it would proceed with its protest, adding a future course of action would also be announced. The body has described Jan. 28 as a “black day” for media freedom and vowed it would resist the new law at all possible levels.