Eight-member committee formed to consult on PECA 2016

ISLAMABAD: An eight-member committee has been formed to conduct consultations on the proposed amendments for the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Acts (PECA) 2016.

According to a notification issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the special committee will be responsible for reviewing PECA 2016 and ensuring political consensus on the proposed amendments in the Act by holding consultations with all stakeholders.

The committee will also make recommendations regarding the amendments, provide support for the Secretariat of the Ministry of Information Technology, and submit its recommendations to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif within 15 days.

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The committee will be led by Adviser to Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and comprise Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar, Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Senator Sherry Rehman, Nawabzada Khalid Magsi, and Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan.

Earlier this month, PM Shehbaz had approved a draft to amend the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, as part of the federal government’s decision to regulate social media through legislation.

The proposed amendment bill was recommended by the cabinet’s Legal Reforms Committee, which suggested the establishment of the Digital Rights Protection Authority, which will fall under the Ministry of Information Technology’s jurisdiction.