ISLAMABAD: The federal government has proposed changes to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (Peca), lowering the jail term to three years from seven years for intentionally disseminating false and fake information and a Rs2 million fine.

According to the details, the draft title “The Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025,” was tabled in the National Assembly today (Wednesday) by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and referred to the standing committee, which was highly opposed by the opposition.

The tweaks include new definitions of different terms related to fake information, the establishment of regulatory and investigative bodies, and stricter penalties for disseminating false information.

The draft amendments proposed to add a new provision, Section 26(A), to Peca, to penalise perpetrators of “fake news” online.

The latest draft stated, “Whoever 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 or disorder or unrest in general public or society shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend upto three years or with fine which may extend to Rs2 million or with both.”

The draft bill further proposed the establishment of a “Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority.” It further proposed that the head office of the authority will be in Islamabad, while regional offices will be established in provincial capitals. 

The regulatory authority would perform a range of functions related to social media such as education, awareness, training, regulation, enlistment, blocking, and more.

Moreover, it stated that the authority will be authorised to cancel the registration of social media platforms or take disciplinary action against users for violation of the PECA Act.

The federal government will establish a Social Media Protection Tribunal to implement the amendment act. “A Social Media Complaints Council, comprising five members and one ex-officio member, will be established,” the bill proposed.

The draft also added that in case of any violation, the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority would approach the Social Media Protection Tribunal which would decide all cases in 90 days.

“The chairman of the tribunal will be a former judge of the High Court and a journalist and software engineer will also be part of the tribunal. The decision of the tribunal can be challenged in the Supreme Court of Pakistan within 60 days,” it read.

Moreover, the federal government will also form a National Cybercrime Investigation Agency to investigate illegal activities on social media.

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