The president of the Popular Party of Pakistan (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, declared that the Law of the Electronic Crime Law of Pakistan (Peca) is not an ideal law, but it is significantly better than the initial version that was proposed.
Speaking at the University of Oxford, he explained that the law had been improved after consultations, mentioning that the original draft included hard sanctions, as a 30 -year sentence for a single publication on social networks.
Bilawal reiterated that the PPP had played a role in improving the PCA law, ensuring that democracy did not undermine. He also defended the 26th constitutional amendment, noting that although it had been modified from its original form, he still played a crucial role in strengthening democracy. He explained that the changes in the amendment were made after consulting with the Jamiat Ulema-E-Islam (Jui).
When addressing concerns about freedom of expression, Bilawal emphasized that Pakistan’s democracy is still fragile and asked to abandon the desire to control each tweet, post and headline. He stressed that the media, including social networks, cannot be controlled and must remain free of undue influence.
A month ago, President Asif Ali Zardari gave his consent to the controversial amendments to the country’s cyber crime laws, despite the calls of journalists and media organizations to stop the bill.
The measure occurred one day after the Senate pushed the 2016 Peca amendments that caused protests throughout the country of media workers who affirmed that the law was a disguised gag order.
A press release issued by the Presidency confirmed that Zarari signed the prevention of the Electronic Crime Law (amendment), 2025, together with the Digital Pakistan bill and the bill of the National Women’s State Commission ( Amendment).
Previously, an advisory meeting held under the auspices of the Law Association of the Supreme Court (SCBA) demanded on Monday the cancellation of the recent amendments made to the Law of Cyber Crimes of the country, 2016.
The meeting entitled “Media under threat: the challenges faced by the post-peca media (amendment) of the law, 2025” was organized in the central office of SCBA.
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) of 2025 introduces severe sanctions, including up to three years in prison and RS2 million fines for 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.
Chaired by the president of SCBA, ROUF ATTA, the session attended members of the Bar Association, as well as journalists and media people.
