Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act 2025

Islamabad: On Jan 23, further amendments of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 has been made by National Assembly in order to make prevention of  disinformation and cybercrime that are increased by usage of social media.

After the commencement of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025 ( of 2025), the Federal Government shall, by notification in the official Gazette, establish an Authority to be known as the Social Media protection and Regulatory Authority for carrying out the purposes of this Act.

Unlawful or offensive outline content:

 (1) The Authority shall have the power to issue directions to a social media platform for removal or blocking of online content, if such online content(a) is against the ideology of Pakistan, etc.; (b) incites the public to violate the law, take the law in own hands, with a view to coerce, intimidate or terrorize public, individuals, groups, communities, government officials and institutions; (c) incites public or section of public to cause damage to governmental or private property; ' (d) coerce or intimidate public or section of public and thereby preventing (e) incites hatred and contempt on religious, sectarian or ethnic basis to stir up violence or cause internal disturbance;

contains anything obscene or pornographjc in contravention of any applicable law; is known to be fake. or false or there exist sufficient reasons to believe that the same may be fake or false beyond a reasonable doubt; (h) contains aspersions against any person including members of Judiciary, Armed Forces, Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament or a Provincial Assembly; or (i) l2l r i promotes and encourages terrorism and other forms of violence against the State or its institutions...PDF

Objectives:

The Prevention of Electronic Crime5 (Amendment) Act 2025, aims to modernize and enhance the legislative framework for combating cybercrime in Pakistan, ensuring alignment with present-day requirements and addressing the growing complexities of cyber threats. Recognizing the rapid advancement of digital technologies and the increasing sophistication of cyber offenses, this Act seeks to safeguard citizens, institutions, and the economy from digital vulnerabilities while fostering a secure and inclusive digital environment.

 2. The proposed amendments establish a robust framework for tackling cybercrimes through the creation of a key governance mechanism, such as the Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA).The DRPA will ensure the protection of citizens' digital rights, regulate online content, and promote secure and responsible internet usage.

 3. A major feature of the amendments is the clear definition and regulation of unlawful online content to address issues such as hate speech, misinformation and content inciting violence or harm. The amendments also introduce mechanisms to improve collaboration with social media platforms and enforce compliance with national laws. 

4. This legislation reflects Pakistan's commitment to adapting to the rapidly evolving digital landscape, ensuring the safety and security of its citizens, promoting accountability in cyberspace, and aligning with international best practices for cyber security and digital rights protection