Amnesty International has raised concerns that the proposed amendments to Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) under the “PECA Act 2025” could further tighten the government’s control over the country’s digital landscape.
The warning came as the controversial amendment bill was tabled in the National Assembly despite opposition from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and protests from journalists, who staged a walkout from the assembly gallery in protest. Journalists have described the legislation as a direct attack on freedom of expression, while PTI criticized the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for supporting the government on this issue.
Babu Ram Pant, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, expressed alarm over the proposed changes, stating, “If the recent amendments to PECA are approved by both houses, they will grant the government even greater control over Pakistan’s already heavily regulated digital content.”
The amendments introduce severe penalties for disseminating so-called “fake news” or misinformation, including fines and up to three years of imprisonment. Pant warned that the vaguely defined clauses and the historical misuse of PECA to silence dissent pose a significant threat to what remains of online freedom of expression in the country.
The bill was reportedly presented in parliament without proper debate, sparking further criticism. Pant highlighted that the new amendments also expand the authority of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), granting it more power to control online content.
Amnesty International urged the government to withdraw the bill immediately and engage in meaningful consultations with civil society to ensure that PECA aligns with international human rights standards.
The bill, which passed the National Assembly amidst protests from journalists, has now been referred to the Senate Standing Committee for further deliberation.
The proposed changes to PECA have drawn comparisons to the controversial Digital Nation Pakistan Bill, raising concerns among rights groups about the erosion of digital freedoms and free expression in the country.
