A regulatory authority will be established with the power to regulate social media content. The authority will have the ability to block or remove content based on complaints.
Islamabad ( Web News )
A bill for further amendments to the PECA (Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act) was presented in the National Assembly. According to the bill, courts will be required to make decisions in cases within six months to one year. On Wednesday, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the amendment bill in the absence of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. While presenting the bill, the Law Minister stated that 108 amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code are being introduced, including a provision that, if a court does not dismiss a case, it must grant bail. Under the new amendments, courts will be bound to decide cases within six months to one year.
The Law Minister also mentioned that the matter of amending the Act will be sent to the standing committee, where all members will provide their opinions. He acknowledged that some provisions become impractical over time, and that complaints regarding issues from case registration to decisions are common. He emphasized that the prosecution is the state’s responsibility. A draft of the amendments to PECA has also been made available, proposing the establishment of a Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA). This authority will have the power to remove online content, access prohibited or obscene material, and take action against individuals involved in sharing such content.
The proposed amendments include a new definition of social media platforms, extending the definition to include tools and software used to access social media. The amendments propose the establishment of the DRPA, which will give the authority the responsibility to advise federal and provincial governments on digital ethics, promote and facilitate social media platforms, and ensure online protection for users. The DRPA will have the power to regulate social media content, investigate complaints, and block or restrict access to content under the PECA Act. It will also set timelines for social media companies to comply with its orders and facilitate the establishment of offices or representatives of social media platforms in Pakistan.
The DRPA will be composed of the Chairperson and six members. The federal government will appoint the Chairperson and three members for a term of three years. The Secretary of Information, Secretary of IT, and Chairman of PTA will be among the members. All decisions of the authority will be made with the consent of the majority. The Chairperson will have special powers to direct the blocking of any illegal online content, and the authority must confirm these decisions within 48 hours.
The proposed amendments grant the authority the power to require social media platforms to register and comply with regulations, including ordering the removal or blocking of illegal online content. The definition of illegal content has been expanded in the amendments to include material that is anti-Islam, harmful to Pakistan’s security or defense, or promotes public disorder, immorality, contempt of court, or encourages criminal activities. The amendments list 16 categories of illegal content, including blasphemous material, violence, sectarian hatred, obscene content, copyright violations, and content that promotes crimes or terrorism.
Under the proposed amendments, spreading false news will result in three years of imprisonment and a fine of 2 million rupees. The bill also provides for the creation of a Social Media Protection Tribunal, with members appointed by the federal government for a term of three years. The tribunal will be required to resolve cases within 90 days. Appeals against tribunal decisions can be filed in the Supreme Court within 60 days.
The amendments also propose the creation of a National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which will handle investigations related to cybercrime. The federal government will appoint a Director-General for the NCCIA, whose position will be equivalent to that of the IG of Police. After the establishment of the NCCIA, all cybercrime offices and cases from the FIA (Federal Investigation Agency) will be transferred to the new agency. The FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing will be abolished, and its assets and budget will be transferred to the NCCIA.
As a replacement, the DRPA will consist of eight members, five of whom will be appointed by the federal government.