Senate Passes Controversial Cybercrime Law Amendments Amid Protests and Journalist Walkout
The Senate on Tuesday approved contentious amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016, despite strong opposition and protests from journalists and opposition lawmakers. The Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2025 introduces a new section, 26(A), which criminalizes the intentional dissemination of “false information” online that could incite fear, panic, or unrest. Perpetrators could face up to three years in prison, a fine of up to Rs2 million, or both. The bill now awaits presidential assent to become law.
The bill was presented by Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain on behalf of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Its introduction triggered immediate criticism from opposition senators and protests from journalists, who walked out of the press gallery.
Opposition Criticism
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Shibli Faraz, condemned the bill, accusing the government of using it to target political opponents rather than to protect citizens. “Laws are made to protect people, not to oppress them,” Faraz stated, adding that the amendments had been rushed through the National Assembly without proper scrutiny.
He also expressed concerns over the regulation of social media, stressing the need for balance. “Whether it’s social media or any other medium, it should operate within specific boundaries, but the purpose of this bill appears to be targeting a specific political party,” Faraz said.
The opposition’s criticism follows a heated session in the National Assembly last week, during which protests erupted over the bill’s passage, with journalists also staging a walkout in solidarity.
Government Response
Responding to criticism after the bill’s passage, Minister Hussain reassured that the amendments were not intended to suppress journalists or traditional media. “This law will not deal with TV newspapers but social media,” he said, emphasizing that the legislation “can be improved.”
Hussain also stated that the law aims to modernize Pakistan’s framework for combating cybercrimes and protecting the public. The Senate Standing Committee on Interior supported this view in its report, noting that the amendments would enhance the act’s effectiveness in safeguarding citizens’ rights. The interior secretary further described the bill as being crafted in “good faith” to address emerging challenges in the digital sphere.
Key Features of Section 26(A)
Section 26(A) defines the offense as the dissemination of any information that the perpetrator “knows or has reason to believe to be false or fake” and that is “likely to cause or create a sense of fear, panic, or disorder” among the public.
The bill’s proponents argue that the provision is necessary to curb the spread of harmful misinformation online, but critics worry it could be misused to stifle dissent and target political opponents.
