Pakistan has passed a new cybercrime law to stop the spread of fake news online. But human rights and digital rights activists say it limits press freedom. Under the updated Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), any false news that could cause panic or unrest online is now a crime.
If found guilty, social media users can face up to three years in jail and heavy fines. Many are worried, as several journalists have already been arrested since the law was introduced.
One such case is Wahid Murad. He is a journalist from a Saudi-based Urdu news agency. He was taken from his home late at night, accused of spreading fake news online. He was later released on bail. Murad said he was arrested before any case was even filed against him.
Another journalist, Farhan Malik, was also arrested under this new law. He is the founder of an online news outlet named “Raftaar.” He too got bail later. Both journalists had reported on the military, which many see as a sensitive topic in Pakistan.
Activists say the law was passed without public discussion or expert advice. Many have criticized it. Lawyer and rights activist Imaan Mazari said the law is being used to stop journalists and silence critical voices. Cybercrime expert Osama Malik called the law “draconian.”
He added that this law directly attacks press freedom. Media freedom groups said they were not consulted before the law was passed. They fear this move will weaken democracy.
Pakistan’s Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar defended the law. He said similar laws exist in many other countries. He added that the Constitution of Pakistan already has limits on free speech. He said it is the duty of officials to enforce laws made by the parliament.
But many journalists and rights workers do not agree. Sehrish Qureshi, a journalist and media freedom activist, said the law was made to stop people from questioning the government. She warned that if someone dares to ask questions, they might be arrested. She said even protests can lead to arrests under this law.
Osama Malik said the real power in Pakistan made this law. He believes the law was designed to control independent news channels on platforms like YouTube. He warned that this could damage democracy in Pakistan.
Pakistan is already low on the World Press Freedom Index. It ranks 158th out of 180 countries, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Many fear the new law will push the country even lower.
Critics say that a healthy democracy needs free media. They believe this law punishes people for sharing their views. Even those reporting the truth fear being arrested if their news causes public reaction.
The new cybercrime law may be aimed at fake news. But many believe it will mostly be used to target journalists and silence criticism. While the government says it wants to stop lies online, the way the law is used raises serious concerns.
For now, Pakistan’s digital rights activists, lawyers, and journalists are speaking out. They say laws should protect the people, not scare them. They want fair rules, not fear. And they want press freedom to stay strong.
If the trend of arrests and censorship continues, many fear Pakistan may move further away from being a free and open society. The question remains: is this law about protecting the truth, or about stopping people from speaking it?