Amnesty raises concerns over new Peca amendment bill

WEB DESK: Human rights organisation Amnesty International has raised its concerns over the newly passed Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act 2025 dubbing it draconian, and a move that will gain more control over Pakistan’s digital landscape.

If ratified by the Senate, the amendment will significantly tighten the government’s authority over online content, raising alarms among human rights organisations and free speech advocates.

The amendment criminalises the dissemination of “false and fake information,” introducing a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment and hefty fines. Critics argue that the vaguely worded provisions of the law could be misused to suppress dissent and stifle online expression.

Deputy Regional Director of Campaigns, South Asia Babu Ram Pant, expressed deep concern over the move. “The latest amendment to the draconian Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) will further tighten the government’s grip on Pakistan’s heavily controlled digital space. The vague and ambiguous framing of offenses, combined with a history of misuse, raises fears of chilling what little remains of the right to online expression in the country,” he said.

The bill also expands the powers of the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) through the newly established Social Media Regulation and Protection Authority. This body is granted broad authority to block or remove online content based on vague criteria. Critics argue that such provisions undermine international standards for proportionality and necessity in regulating freedom of expression.

The amendment has sparked widespread backlash from opposition parties, civil society, and media organizations. Many have criticized the lack of transparency and consultation in drafting the bill. Activists warn that these changes align with broader trends of increased digital surveillance and restrictions on online freedoms, as seen in the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill, which lacks safeguards for human rights.

Amnesty International has urged the government to withdraw the bill and instead engage with civil society to reform PECA in line with international human rights standards. “These developments further erode free expression and access to information in Pakistan. The government must prioritize human rights in its digital policies,” said Pant.