President Zardari Assents to Controversial Amendments to Peca 2016

On Wednesday, President Asif Ali Zardari approved amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016, igniting backlash from political parties, journalists, and human rights organizations, Dawn Newspaper reported. The amendments introduce severe penalties for “fake news” and expand government oversight of digital platforms, raising concerns about freedom of expression.

Critics argue that the new provisions, particularly Section 26(A), which imposes up to three years in prison for spreading false information, are designed to suppress dissent. A petition challenging the amendments has been filed in the Lahore High Court, highlighting the lack of consultation with media stakeholders.

Additionally, the amendments propose the dissolution of the FIA’s Cybercrime Wing, replacing it with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), and the establishment of a Social Media Regulation and Protection Authority (SMPRA) with broad powers to regulate online content. Human rights groups have condemned the law as a threat to fundamental rights.