The Senate, undeterred by criticism from journalists, human rights organisations, and opposition members, approved the contentious Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Amendment Bill 2025 and the Digital Nation Bill 2025 on Tuesday.

The bills, which caused significant contention between the government and the opposition for several days, were introduced by Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Federal Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain on behalf of the interior minister, who is presently visiting the United States.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a coalition partner of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government at the federal level, also supported the measures. The PTI contested the legislation.

The PTI senators expressed their dissent by assembling in front of Deputy Chairman Syedal Khan Nasir’s podium. The opposition members chanted slogans opposing the adoption of the PECA bill and shredded its copies.

Journalists, conversely, executed a walkout from the Press Gallery to express their dissent.

The measures will be forwarded to President Asif Ali Zardari for presidential approval, after which they will be enacted into law.

During the event, Rana Tanveer stated that the PECA bill was not applicable to television or print media but was intended to control digital and social media. He stated that PTI’s Shibli Faraz had almost acquiesced to the bill.

Shibli Faraz stated that law-making is their prerogative; nonetheless, no legislation should be enacted hastily. He stated that if the law had favoured the populace, there would have been no opposition to it. It ought to have been examined in exhaustive detail, he stated.

SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE APPROVAL

On the preceding day (Monday), the Senate standing committee sanctioned the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). Senator Faisal Saleem presided over the standing committee session, which approved the amended bill.

Journalistic organisations opposed several sections of the legislation. The committee chair enquired about their omission of written objections to the legislation.

Journalists say they are also victims of fake news, but certain clauses in the bill are unacceptable.

Jamaat-e-Islami contests the contentious PECA.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui stated that anyone might be handcuffed without legal justification in the country, and he personally had a challenging circumstance due to a fabricated case.

Kamran Murtaza also criticised the legislation.

The Interior Secretary stated that the legislation is intended to safeguard individuals and should be ratified in its current form.

The National Assembly Approves PECA 2025

Recently, the National Assembly approved the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill 2025, commonly referred to as the PECA bill, by a majority vote.

The amendment bill was approved within minutes after Federal Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain presented it as the opposition parties had already staged a walkout.

Journalists additionally orchestrated a walkout from the press gallery in opposition to the bill’s enactment.

The legislation seeks to govern social media and digital content within the nation.

What is the involvement?

The bill proposes the establishment of a new entity, the Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA), tasked with regulating online material and safeguarding users’ digital rights.

The DRPA will possess the authority to eliminate internet content, restrict access to unlawful or obscene materials, and initiate actions against persons disseminating such content.

The bill also defines social media platforms and includes websites, applications, and communication channels. The DRPA will be responsible for promoting digital literacy, research, and social media platforms and ensuring users’ online safety and security.

The authority would have the capability to register social media platforms and establish operational conditions for them in Pakistan.

The bill also introduces new penalties for spreading false information online, including a three-year prison sentence and a Rs 2 million fine.

A tribunal for the protection of social media will be instituted to adjudicate claims about online content. The tribunal will be required to dispose of cases within 90 days.

The bill also provides for establishing a National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency to investigate cybercrime cases.

Also read: PECA is a draconian law, says Barrister Ali Zafar

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Barrister Ali Zafar said that the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) is a draconian law and they will not accept it.