Senate passes Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) amendments bill, 2025

The Senate on Tuesday passed the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Amendments Bill, 2025, following approval by the Senate Standing Committee on Interior the previous day. Despite strong opposition from journalist organizations, the bill moved forward, marking a significant step in the legislative process.

Minister for Industries and Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain, introduced the bill on behalf of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Speaking in support of the bill, Federal Minister Hussain clarified that the amendments were specifically aimed at addressing issues arising from social media. He reassured the public that the bill was not intended to target journalists working in television or print media.

“The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Amendment Bill, 2025 is meant to tackle the challenges posed by social media platforms,” said Rana Tanveer Hussain. He also noted that the opposition had been engaged in discussions about the bill through the standing committees of both the National Assembly and the Senate.

The bill now awaits approval from the President of Pakistan before it can become law. The amendments have sparked debate, particularly from journalists and media organizations who have voiced concerns about potential restrictions on press freedom and freedom of expression. However, the government maintains that the bill is necessary to regulate online activities and prevent the spread of harmful content on social media.