The Federal Union of Journalists of Pakistan (PFUJ) has presented a petition in the Superior Court of Islamabad that defies the recent amendments to the country of cyber crimes in the country, asking them to be considered as “unconstitutional.”
Pakistan’s Electronic Crime Law (amendment), 2025, promulgated on January 29, presents provisions that make the dissemination of “false or false” information a criminal offense, punishable with up to three years in prison, without a clear definition of what constitutes “false or false news.”
Journalists and digital rights experts have expressed concern about the lack of consultation during the drafting of the bill, arguing that stifles public scrutiny and violates fundamental rights.
They also pointed out the general powers granted to government agencies under amendments to regulate online content, which could lead to greater censorship.
The amendments establish four new government agencies with the authority to block and eliminate online content based on vague criteria, which leads to human rights organizations such as International Amnesty and Human Rights to raise concerns about possible violations of international human rights.
Pfuj’s request before the Court argues that the law amended violates constitutional guarantees, including due process and justice rights.
It seeks to prevent the Government from using “coercive powers” against journalists under the new law, listing several government agencies as surveyed, including the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Information and the Federal Research Agency (FIA).
According to the amendments, a new Court of Protection of Social Networks will be formed with members designated by the Government, which raises concerns about the independence of the body.
Another body, the authority for the protection and regulation of social networks, may order the elimination or blockade of the content considered “against the ideology of Pakistan” or “false or false”, as well as impose conditions in social media companies.
The amendments were introduced in the midst of growing concerns about the repression of digital discourse in Pakistan, including frequent internet closures and the acceleration of networks. The Government has also been working on the implementation of a national firewall, despite the denials that the movements are aimed at censorship.
