Amnesty International has voiced strong opposition to the newly passed Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act 2025, labeling it a draconian measure aimed at tightening government control over Pakistan’s digital space.
The amendment, which awaits Senate ratification, criminalizes the spread of “false and fake information” with penalties of up to three years in prison and heavy fines. Critics argue that the vaguely defined offenses create avenues for misuse, enabling authorities to suppress dissent and curtail online freedom of expression.
Babu Ram Pant, Amnesty’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, expressed alarm over the move, stating, “The latest amendment to the draconian Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) will further tighten the government’s grip on Pakistan’s heavily controlled digital space. The vague and ambiguous framing of offenses, combined with a history of misuse, raises fears of chilling what little remains of the right to online expression in the country.”
The revised law also establishes the Social Media Regulation and Protection Authority, granting the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) expanded powers to block or remove online content. Critics warn that the broad and unclear criteria for content removal violate international standards of proportionality and necessity in regulating freedom of expression.
The amendment has drawn widespread backlash from opposition parties, civil society groups, and media organizations, with many condemning the lack of transparency and consultation in drafting the bill. Activists argue that these changes echo the broader trend of increased digital surveillance and restrictions, as seen in the controversial Digital Nation Pakistan Bill.
Amnesty International has urged the government to withdraw the amendment and collaborate with civil society to reform PECA in line with international human rights standards. “These developments further erode free expression and access to information in Pakistan. The government must prioritize human rights in its digital policies,” Pant emphasized.
