Senate Approves PECA Amendment, Faces Opposition

The Senate of Pakistan has approved the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill 2025, spearheaded by Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, amidst significant opposition from political parties and journalists who argue it curtails freedom of speech. The bill includes controversial provisions such as penalizing the dissemination of 'fake news' with up to three years in prison or fines. Despite opposition claims of a lack of consultation, the bill quickly passed through the Senate Standing Committee on Interior. The Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024, aimed at digitizing governance, was also passed despite similar protests. Critics, including JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza, have raised concerns over the hastiness and lack of clarity in the bill's definitions, particularly regarding 'fake news.' While the government defends the bill as necessary for modernizing cybercrime laws and protecting public rights, journalist unions and opposition parties plan to challenge it legally.