ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Thursday unanimously approved the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, without opposition as they staged a walkout in a protest against the proposed amendments.
Federal Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain presented the bill in the Lower House and was approved within minutes.
The journalists also boycotted the session and walked out of the assembly galleries, severely criticising the tweaks in Peca.
The bill redefined “social media platforms,” including tools and software used to access social media. The bill proposes changes to Section 2 of PECA, expanding the definition of “websites,” “applications,” and “communication channels.”
The amendments expand the definition of unlawful content to include:
The changes include the establishment of the Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA), which will have the authority to remove online content, access prohibited or obscene materials, and take action against individuals sharing such content.
The government would establish the DRPA to provide recommendations to federal and provincial governments on digital ethics and related areas. The DRPA would encourage and facilitate research and education on social media platforms while ensuring online user protection.
The authority will consist of a chairperson and six members, appointed for three years. Decisions will be made by a majority vote, with the chairperson empowered to issue directives for blocking unlawful content, subject to confirmation within 48 hours.
The DRPA will regulate social media content under PECA, investigate complaints, and block or restrict access to unlawful content. The authority will set timeframes for social media companies to comply with its directives and facilitate their registration or establishment of local offices in Pakistan.
Additionally, the amendments also proposed the constitution of a Social Media Complaint Council to receive and process complaints made by aggrieved parties against violation of any provision of the cybercrime law.
A Social Media Protection Tribunal will be established to adjudicate cases within 90 days. Appeals against tribunal decisions can be made to the Supreme Court within 60 days, the bill read.
Each tribunal will consist of a chairperson qualified to be a high court judge, a journalist registered with a press club, and a software engineer.
Apart from that, the amendment bill also proposed the establishment of the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA) and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency will investigate and prosecute the offenses specified under the Peca amendments, 2025.
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