ISLAMABAD: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Wednesday moved forward with a comprehensive set of amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016.
The proposed amendments are designed to enhance the regulation of social media, specifically to combat the increasing spread of misinformation and harmful content on digital platforms. The draft amendments have been shared with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and are currently under review by the National Assembly.
The amendments were introduced by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, who highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges posed by digital misinformation. The revised draft proposes significant changes to the penalties for individuals found guilty of spreading fake news online.
Initially, the draft suggested a prison term of up to seven years for those found guilty of such offenses. However, the latest version has lowered the maximum sentence to three years while retaining the fine of Rs2 million. Despite differences between the PML-N and PPP regarding the proposed length of the prison sentence, both parties have largely agreed on the framework of the amendments.
One of the key elements of the proposed changes is the establishment of the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority. This new regulatory body would play a crucial role in overseeing the activities of social media platforms, monitoring content, and ensuring that online information adheres to the country’s laws and regulations. The authority would have the power to penalize individuals or organizations found guilty of spreading fake or misleading information. I
t will have similar enforcement capabilities as other major regulatory agencies such as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
According to the latest draft, the law would specifically criminalize the intentional dissemination of false information that could lead to public unrest, fear, or disorder. The penalties outlined in the draft include imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to Rs2 million, or both.
Additionally, the authority would have the power to act swiftly on complaints, ensuring that any content deemed harmful or misleading can be removed from social media platforms within 24 hours of receiving a request.
The proposed amendments also stipulate that social media platforms operating in Pakistan will be required to register with the newly formed regulatory authority. This will give the authority greater oversight and control over the content shared on these platforms.
Platforms that fail to comply with the regulatory requirements could face penalties, including being blocked within Pakistan. These provisions are part of the government’s broader strategy to combat the spread of fake news and ensure that online content adheres to the nation’s legal and social standards.
A significant addition to the draft is the provision that prohibits the streaming of statements from banned organizations or their members on social media.
The law also seeks to prevent the broadcast of any parliamentary proceedings that have been expunged or removed, ensuring that only officially approved content is made available to the public. This move has been seen as an effort to maintain the integrity of parliamentary processes and prevent the dissemination of unapproved or misleading information.
The proposed amendments also introduce the formation of a Social Media Complaint Council, which will be responsible for receiving complaints from individuals who feel that they have been aggrieved by fake or harmful online content.
Additionally, a Social Media Protection Tribunal would be set up to adjudicate these cases, ensuring that complaints are processed and resolved within a maximum of 90 days. These provisions are aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in the regulation of online content.
While the government has emphasized that these changes are intended to curb the spread of fake news and misinformation, critics have raised concerns about the potential for such measures to stifle free speech and give the government excessive control over digital content.
The final draft of the bill is expected to be debated further in parliamentary committees before it is formally passed into law.
