As Pakistan moves forward with its new regulatory framework, the country faces mounting pressure from local and international organisations to reconsider its approach to digital rights and online freedoms.
In a controversial move that has sparked widespread protests, Pakistan has enacted a new law criminalising online disinformation. The authorities claim the law is necessary to combat fake news on social media. However, critics argue that it is a tool to suppress dissent and curb freedom of expression in a country where independent media has already faced increasing censorship.
Signed into law by the president on January 29, the legislation has drawn fierce opposition from journalists and human rights activists across the nation of approximately 240 million people. Munizae Jahangir, a television journalist based in Islamabad, decried the law as “a complete clampdown on free speech and the right to a fair trial.”
Under the new provisions, individuals found guilty of “intentionally disseminating” false or misleading information can face up to three years in prison and fines of up to 2 million rupees ($7,100). The law also mandates the establishment of a new regulatory authority with investigative powers and the ability to adjudicate cases. Critics warn that this authority will have sweeping powers that could be used to target dissenters on flimsy charges.
‘Excessive Criminalisation’
This law is an amendment to the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), originally passed in 2017 to address online hate speech, harassment, and cybercrime. However, activists argue that the law has frequently been weaponised to silence journalists and activists. Successive governments have reportedly used PECA to stamp out criticism, particularly against Pakistan’s influential military.
Ethnic minorities, including Pashtuns and Baluchs, have been disproportionately targeted under previous laws for speaking out against military operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Likewise, the opposition Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaf (PTI) party has faced intensified scrutiny, with numerous members arrested for protesting against the imprisonment of their leader, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, and the military’s alleged interference in politics.
Farieha Aziz, co-founder of digital rights group Bolo Bhi, condemned the new law, stating, “Everything they were doing in practice has been legalised through this amendment.” She warned that the law further entrenches state censorship, requiring social media companies to register with the new regulator, which now has expanded authority to issue fines and directives and block a broader range of content.
‘Black Day’ for Press Freedom
In the past year, Pakistan has attempted to block virtual private networks (VPNs) while implementing a China-style Internet firewall, leading to frequent outages and slowdowns that have disrupted businesses and everyday communications.
Babu Ram Pant, deputy South Asia director of Amnesty International, said the new law aligns with the government’s increasing reliance on digital surveillance but lacks essential human rights protections. “This law is in step with the deployment of intrusive digital surveillance technologies but fails to incorporate any safeguards for human rights,” he noted.
On January 28, journalists across the country marked a “black day” in protest of the law.
Beh Lih Yi, Asia program coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists, called the law “deeply concerning,” emphasising that it will significantly limit freedom of speech in Pakistan. Asad Iqbal Butt, head of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, echoed these concerns, stating that digital freedoms in the country are already heavily restricted. “This is to the detriment of people’s right to information and connectivity, both of which are integral to a 21st-century democracy.”
As Pakistan moves forward with its new regulatory framework, the country faces mounting pressure from local and international organisations to reconsider its approach to digital rights and online freedoms. Whether the law will be amended or repealed in response to public outcry remains uncertain, but its impact on free speech in Pakistan is already being felt.
