Pakistan’s federal government has introduced a bill to expand regulatory control over digital platforms, seeking to make internet service providers and tech companies directly accountable for failing to remove online content deemed objectionable.
The Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was submitted to the Senate Secretariat by Senator Anusha Rahman of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) on behalf of the government.
It will be presented in the upcoming parliamentary session.
Expanding liability for platforms
The bill proposes changes to Section 38 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), Pakistan’s main cybercrime law first enacted in 2016. Under the amendment, digital platforms, telecom firms, payment providers, and data storage companies would be legally bound to comply with official takedown or blocking orders.
A new sub-section (6) would remove existing legal protections if service providers fail to follow such directives. The competent authority, which could include the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) or other designated regulators, would then be empowered to take action against companies or their officers.
Government’s justification
The Statement of Objects and Reasons accompanying the bill says the change is meant to ensure stricter compliance with government orders related to objectionable content.
“It is necessary that the section is amended to increase the responsibility of service providers to remove or block objectionable content as and when so demanded by the competent authority and proceed to take action against delinquent officers,” the document notes.
Officials argue the move would close “gaps” that have allowed some platforms to delay or resist takedown requests.
Current protections under law
Section 38 of PECA currently shields service providers from civil or criminal liability unless it is proven that they knowingly and deliberately facilitated illegal online activity.
The existing law places the burden of proof on the complainant, requiring evidence that a company directly enabled or refused to act against unlawful material. Service providers are not obligated to proactively monitor user content, and those acting in good faith remain legally protected.
New enforcement powers
If the amendment passes, those safeguards would no longer apply to platforms that ignore removal or blocking orders. Service providers and their officers could face legal action for noncompliance, with enforcement carried out under rules prescribed by regulators.
The change would increase liability for companies operating in Pakistan’s digital space, including international platforms providing internet, web hosting, mobile, or payment services.
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