Pakistan president signs controversial bill into law to regulate social media

President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari assented to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Amendment Bill 2025 on Wednesday, granting authorities expanded powers over digital content and online speech.

The controversial bill, passed earlier by both the National Assembly and Senate, has now become a law following the president’s assent. Critics argue that the amendments will be used to stifle dissent and restrict press freedom.

The bill includes provisions to tighten regulations on spreading fake news. It allows for penalties of up to three years in prison and fines of up to PKR 2 million. The legislation also establishes a nine-member Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA), which will oversee compliance with the law.

The government defends the law as necessary to curb cybercrimes and misinformation. However, media watchdogs and opposition parties warn that it could be weaponized against journalists and political opponents.

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Zardari also approved two other bills—the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2025 and the National Commission on the Status of Women (Amendment) Bill 2025.

The PECA amendment has been widely condemned by human rights groups, who argue it enables greater state surveillance and censorship. Under the revised law, authorities have more power to block online content deemed “harmful” or “against national interest”.

Opposition leaders and civil society activists say they will challenge the law in court, calling it a tool to silence criticism ahead of upcoming political developments.

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The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has also voiced strong opposition, warning that the law could be used to criminalize reporting on sensitive issues.

‘Didn’t expect him to go back on his words’

The Pakistan Reporters Association (PRA) Pakistan expressed disappointment over the president’s approval of the bill, stating they did not expect him to go back on his word.

According to JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza, President Zardari had assured JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman that he would not sign the bill.

Murtaza said he was present when Fazl spoke with the president, who allegedly promised to delay his decision.

Following the bill’s approval, the PRA held an emergency virtual meeting, calling the move inappropriate and raising doubts about the Pakistan Peoples Party’s role in parliamentary proceedings.

The association said the president’s swift action had caused unrest in the journalistic community. Murtaza also sent an audio message to the PRA, confirming that Fazl had contacted Zardari and was assured the bill would be delayed.

The JUI-F leader was even told that the matter would be discussed with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi before any final decision.

The PRA warned the federal government that journalists would continue their struggle against controversial provisions in the PECA law until their concerns were addressed.

Journalists rally against bill

A day earlier, hundreds of journalists across Pakistan protested against the controversial bill they say is aimed at curbing press freedom and controlling the digital landscape.

Digital media in Pakistan has already been muffled with measures by telecom authorities to slow down internet speeds, and social media platform X has been blocked for more than a year.

Reporters Without Borders, an organization that defends press freedom, ranked Pakistan at number 152 out of 180 on its 2024 world Press Freedom Index. The group also says Pakistan is one of the most dangerous places for journalists to work.

The government has defended the new regulations, saying the law is being introduced to block fake and false news.