ISLAMABAD: On Wednesday, a bill to amend the nation’s cybercrime laws was presented to the National Assembly. It calls for disinformation spreading to carry a three-year prison sentence, the dissolution of the FIA’s Cybercrime Wing and the creation of a new investigative agency, and the creation of a new authority with extensive powers, including the ability to partially or completely block social media platforms.
According to the most recent draft, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2025, “Anyone who intentionally disseminates, publicly exhibits, or transmits any information through any information system that he knows or has reason to believe to be false or fake and likely to cause or create a sense of fear, panic, disorder, or unrest in general public or society shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend up to three years or with a fine which may extend to Rs2 million, or with both.”
On behalf of the interior minister, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar introduced the proposed modification to Peca as a supplemental agenda item.
PTI-led opposition members loudly protested the introduction, berating the speaker for denying Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub Khan the floor prior to question time.
Today (Thursday), the Standing Committee on Interior of the National Assembly will meet to discuss the Peca (Amendment) Bill.
The bill states that Islamabad will serve as the home base for the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority, with plans to open offices in other provinces as needed.
In addition to establishing operational guidelines and ensuring the protection of users’ rights, the authority will supervise the recruitment of social media platforms.
The authority will have the power to discipline social media companies that violate the Peca Act. Additionally, it might order pertinent organizations to take down illegal content from social media. Those impacted by illicit online activity have 24 hours to notify the authorities.
The interior secretary, the chairman of the PTA, and the chairman of Pemra will all serve as ex-officio members of the nine-member authority. For a five-year term, the chairman and five other members will be chosen. The chairperson must have fifteen years of relevant experience or at least a bachelor’s degree.
The chairman will have the authority to mandate that any illegal content on social media be blocked right away.
All social media sites are required to register with the authority under the new laws. Platforms that break the law risk being banned for good or for all time.
Content that encourages people to break the law or goes against Pakistani ideology may be blocked by the authorities.
Additionally, it will have the authority to restrict illegal content directed at members of the military, the courts, the legislature, or local assemblies. Social media users cannot repost content that has been removed during parliamentary proceedings.
The amendment law prohibits posting statements on social media from individuals or organizations that are prohibited.
NCCIA, tribunal, and council
Additionally, the amendment suggests creating a Social Media Complaint Council. The authority will have the ability to request action from the tribunal in situations when social media platforms do not follow instructions.
According to the amended law, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) will be established by the federal government to look into illicit activity on social media. A director general selected for a three-year term will lead the agency.
The authority’s officers and staff will have the same authority as police officers in the same level. The Cybercrime Wing of the FIA will be disbanded upon the creation of the new investigative organization.
A Social Media Protection Tribunal will also be established by the federal government to uphold the modified act’s requirements. A former high court judge will serve as the tribunal’s chair, and its members will include a software engineer and a journalist.
The proposed change allows for a 60-day window for challenges to tribunal rulings in the Supreme Court.
Amendments to the CrPC
Prior to this, the law minister also presented a measure that would change the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in 108 ways. The changes are intended to reduce police overreactions during arrests and detentions, stop bogus complaints, and make it easier to file FIRs.
Mr. Tarar emphasized clauses that mandate lower courts issue bail in cases where police investigations support an acquittal. Additionally, he suggested a one-year trial timetable for criminal matters, with high courts required to take action if deadlines are missed. High court appeals that are still pending must also be decided within a certain amount of time, and noncompliance will have penalties.
The bill also asks lawmakers for their opinions during committee reviews and contains procedures for employing contemporary technology as proof.
Additionally, Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal’s Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (Implementation) Bill was approved by the National Assembly.
In response to a calling-attention notice, Parliamentary Secretary for Energy Aamir Talal Khan said that 70% of K-Electric’s 2,100 feeders are now loadshedding-free. He went on to say that just 30% of feeders in high-loss areas experience power outages, whereas 282 out of 295 feeders servicing mixed-use consumers do not experience loadshedding.
Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said, “No point of order will be allowed before the question hour is over,” rejecting Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub Khan’s effort to raise a point of order at the beginning of the session. I don’t turn around.
PTI MPs took to the streets to protest, chanting slogans in favor of their imprisoned founder, Imran Khan. Copies of the agenda were also torn and scattered everywhere.