The Senate approved the bill for the prevention of electronic crimes (amendment) (amendment) 2025 and the Pakistan bill of the Digital Nation 2024 on Tuesday, in the middle of a strike of journalists and protests by opposition members.
Chaired by Vice President Syed al Nasser, the session went to a 16 -point agenda, with the Electronic Crime Law (amendment) (sin) for approval. The bill was approved despite the objections raised by opposition parties and media groups.
The PCA Law was already approved by the National Assembly and the Senate Interior Committee before. A majority vote also approved the Pakistan 2025 bill of the Digital Nation.
During the session, the Minister of Defense and Aviation, Khawaja Asif, discussed the rebirth of smaller airports, saying that the Chitral airport is now operational. He also mentioned that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was improving, and the flights resumed to smaller airports and new planes that are obtained.
The Renaissance of PIA was recognized, and the government is working to open new routes, including those of Chitral and the Northern regions.
Senator Saifullah Abro raised concerns about the limited fleet of PIA and bad operations, highlighting the need for more timely aircraft and flight operations. In response, Khawaja Asif said that Pia was recovering, with new routes and acquisitions of airplanes in progress.
The session was also witnessing that Senator Azam Nazir Tarar introduced the draft bill of migration smuggling 2025 and the draft amendment law of the immigration ordinance 2025. Both bills were sent to the permanent pertinent committees.
Later, the Minister of Law Azam Nazir Tarar presented the Law 2025 of Pakistan of the Digital Nation, which he approved with a majority vote despite the protests of the opposition.
Opposition members, including Senator Shibli Faraz, expressed concern about the lack of consultation on the bill and opposed how the procedures were carried out.
The Popular Party of Pakistan (PPP) voted in favor of the bill. During the session, the amendments proposed by Senator Kamran Murtaza to several sections of the bill were rejected. The senator accused the government of violating provincial autonomy and concentrating power in Islamabad.
Journalists’ protests on the presentation of Peca Bill
Subsequently, Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain moved the motion to present the draft Electronic Crime Prevention (amendment) 2025, related to the prevention of electronic crimes, in the Chamber. This bill (PCA law) had already been approved unanimously by the Committees of the National Assembly and the Senate.
At this point, parliamentary journalists once again organized a strike from the press gallery. The Pakistan Radio Association (PRA) sang slogans, calling a “black law” amendment bill, and journalists left the press gallery in protest.
On this occasion, PPP senator, Sherry Rehman, came to the press room to show solidarity with journalists. She declared: “We support the amendments of journalists. Interested parties were not consulted on the PCA law.
This bill was not discussed in the committee, and PPP does not support it. We will sit with the journalists and bring amendments to the Bill Bill. We are working for the formation of a council in the Bill Bill. Bhutto de Bilawal has declared that we are with journalists on this issue. “
The Senate began the clause approval process by clause of the draft amendment of the PCA 2025 Law, while the motion of Senator Kamran Murtaza for additional amendments was rejected. Then, the Senate approved the bill of the amendment of the PCA 2025 Law with a majority vote.
What is sin?
The Pakistani government is strengthening the Law on the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (PECA) with new amendments to address fake news and illegal online content. The Electronic Crime Prevention Law (amendment) proposal of 2025 introduces severe sanctions, including up to three years in prison and RS2 million fines for the misinformation of misinformation.
A key provision is the establishment of a digital rights protection authority (DRPA) in charge of regulating social media platforms and eliminating illegal content.
DRPA will have powers to investigate complaints, eliminate content and enforce digital ethics. The amendments also redefine social media platforms and demand compliance with social media companies, which may require registering and appointing local representatives.
While supporters believe that amendments are essential to combat false news and hate speeches, critics warn about possible censorship and misuse.
