ISLAMABAD : The Prevention of Electronic Crimes (PECA) Act Amendment Bill 2025 has been introduced in the National Assembly, revealing plans to set up a new Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority. The authority’s main office will be in Islamabad, with branches in provincial capitals.
The bill proposes that the authority will consist of nine members, including the Interior Secretary, PTA Chairman, and PEMRA Chairman. The Chairman will be selected based on a Bachelor’s degree and at least 15 years of experience. The Chairman and five other members will be appointed for a five-year term.
According to the available details, the government also aims to include journalists in the authority. One member will be a journalist with at least 10 years of experience, while others will include an IT expert, software engineer, lawyer, and social media professional.
The authority will be responsible for protecting social media users’ rights and regulating social media platforms. It will have the power to register, remove, or take action against platforms and content that are illegal.
The bill defines illegal content as material that contradicts Islam, threatens national security, or attacks constitutional institutions such as the judiciary or armed forces. It also includes fake news, hate speech, incitement to violence, and immoral content.
Spreading fake news under this bill could result in up to three years in prison and a fine of up to 2 million rupees. A Social Media Protection Tribunal will be established to handle such cases, which must be resolved within 90 days. Decisions can be appealed in the Supreme Court.
The bill also proposes the creation of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which will investigate cybercrimes. Once established, the NCCIA will replace the Cyber Crime Cell of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), transferring all its cases, assets, and resources to the new agency.
