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February 7, 2025 - Comments Off on Internet Disruptions and Shutdowns In January

Internet Disruptions and Shutdowns In January

Between January 11 and February 7, 2025, Pakistan continued to experience internet disruptions and censorship, as well as policy developments that severely impacted digital rights. Major cities like Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore saw heightened restrictions, with social media throttling and content censorship, particularly during political protests and demonstrations. Journalists and digital rights activists faced increasing pressure as the government introduced stricter regulations on online content.

The passage of a controversial law criminalizing “misleading” online content sparked nationwide protests, led by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). Meanwhile, ongoing internet slowdowns forced several multinational companies to reconsider operations in Pakistan, raising concerns about economic impacts.

February 4, 2025 - Comments Off on PECA Amendments Challenged, Petition Filed With Supreme Court

PECA Amendments Challenged, Petition Filed With Supreme Court

A petition against the recently passed Amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act (PECA) has been filed with Pakistan’s Supreme High Court (SC), arguing that the amendments violate human rights and are not consistent with the Constitution of Pakistan. Filed by a citizen, Muhammad Qayyum Khan, the petition asserts that rights to free expression have been undermined by the PECA and its amendments, and that they must come under review by the Supreme Court. The President of Pakistan, Speaker of the National Assembly, Chairman of the Senate, and Secretary of Law have been included as respondents to the case by the petitioner.

The petition also states that:

"In the national interest of peace and stability, it is humbly requested that a full court bench review the amendment and the existing law in light of our fundamental right to express opinions and share information in society”.

 

February 4, 2025 - Comments Off on Asia Internet Coalition trade body expresses concern over PECA Amendments

Asia Internet Coalition trade body expresses concern over PECA Amendments

The Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) has expressed deep  “concerns” over the recently passed “Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025”. A tech industry body made up of companies such as Google, Apple, Facebook, LinkedIn, Amazon, and Cloudfare among others, the AIC claimed that the amendments “would have a significant impact on people’s digital rights and freedoms, as well as far-reaching implications for Pakistan’s digital economy”, and called upon the Government of Pakistan to:

“...pause the legislative process and initiate a genuine, transparent, inclusive, and comprehensive public consultation process with stakeholders, including industry, civil society, and the public, to ensure the amendments are in line with established human rights norms on privacy and freedom of expression and does not stifle economic growth and innovation.”

The statement by the AIC can be found here, in PDF format: https://aicasia.org/download/1187/

February 4, 2025 - Comments Off on Starlink expected to operate in Pakistan by Summer 2025: Government

Starlink expected to operate in Pakistan by Summer 2025: Government

Starlink, the satellite internet network owned by Elon Musk, is expected begin operations in Pakistan by June of 2025, according to the government, as 90% of the registration process has been completed. In order to operate in Pakistan, low earth orbit (LEO) satellite operators must register with the Pakistan Space Regulatory Board after which the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority will issue licenses if successful. According to news reports, Starlink will meet the June 2025 operational target.

February 3, 2025 - Comments Off on PECA Amendments Essential to tackling “fake news”: Government

PECA Amendments Essential to tackling “fake news”: Government

The recently passed amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) are necessary to tackle disinformation or “fake news”, claimed Attaullah Tarar, the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting. Tarar argued that the amendments were essential as “people share content without verifying its authenticity. This reckless behavior has escalated to the point where people don’t hesitate to label others as infidels.”

Tarar also said that he invited critics of the PECA Amendments to engage with him and with PECA Joint Action Committee on PECA, claiming that if any sections are deemed inconsistent with fundamental rights, we are open to suggestions”.

January 30, 2025 - Comments Off on PK Ambassador to the US defends PECA Amendments, media restrictions

PK Ambassador to the US defends PECA Amendments, media restrictions

Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States defended the recently passed Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) amendments and other actions by the Pakistani government to curb freedom of expression, as a way to tackle “the irresponsible use of digital space and the spread of fake news.”

Speaking at a diplomatic event held in Washington, DC, Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Shaikh was asked about restrictions on Pakistan’s media and overall freedom of expression in the wake of changes to PECA. In response, Mr. Shaikh asserted that Pakistan was working to “regulate social media to make it more responsible”, and made comparisons to other efforts to regulate and tackle social media by other governments.

When pressed further concerning the impact on mainstream news outlets in Pakistan, the ambassador said that the government “welcomed” responsible journalism. He also claimed that Islamabad was interested in speaking with media organisations regarding the amendments and other regulations, something that may raise an eyebrow or two among journalists in Pakistan.

January 29, 2025 - Comments Off on Journalists stage country-wide protests against PECA Amendments

Journalists stage country-wide protests against PECA Amendments

Journalist bodies strongly protested against the PECA amendments across the major cities on Tuesday 28 January.

During the passage of the bill in the Senate, journalists walked out of the Senate press gallery in protest. Later, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) organised a protest march from the Islamabad National Press Club to D-Chowk, where, addressing the crowd, PFUJ President Afzal Butt called the bill a ‘black law’.

In Karachi, responding to an appeal by PFUJ, the Joint Action Committee of Media Bodies (JAC) staged a protest outside Karachi Press Club. Mazhar Abbas, a senior member of PFUJ commented “The government has to learn the lessons as it was earlier used against the same party, which had passed the law in a haste.” Members of the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ), Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), and the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) were also in attendance.

January 29, 2025 - Comments Off on Pakistani-American teen murdered by father over TikTok

Pakistani-American teen murdered by father over TikTok

⚠ Trigger Warning: Gender-based violence, Murder

A Pakistani-American teen has been murdered by her father over his daughter’s TikTok videos. The man, who had lived in the US for under three decades, had recently returned to Pakistan, bringing his family with him. Originally claiming that unidentified gunmen had murdered his 15 year old daughter, he confessed his crime to police.

According to police reports, the man (and supposedly the rest of the family) “had an objection to her lifestyle, and social gathering”, and that she had been creating, according to the father, “objectionable” content on TikTok while the family lived in the US. As of the time of this update, however, the phone remained locked, according to the police.

January 29, 2025 - Comments Off on Journalist files case against PECA Amendments in Lahore High Court

Journalist files case against PECA Amendments in Lahore High Court

The formal passage into law of amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) has been challenged in the Lahore High Court by a Pakistani journalist, arguing that the amendments are a threat to the “constitutional right to free speech”.

The legal challenge filed by Jafar Bin Yar – and which includes the government, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and other parties as respondents – asserted that the PECA Amendments Bill 2025 had been introduced  in and passed by the National Assembly without key stakeholders, such as civil society organisations and journalists, being consulted.

Mr. Bin Yar’s legal petition requested the nullification of the newly passed PECA Amendment Act, and that any actions taken post-passage be suspended until a final decision in his petition has been issued.

January 29, 2025 - Comments Off on President Zardari Signs PECA Amendments into law

President Zardari Signs PECA Amendments into law

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has signed into law controversial amendments to the the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), in the face of numerous protests and calls of condemnation from journalists, political parties and international human rights organisations such as Amnesty International. The presidential assent – which also included another controversial law, the Digital National Pakistan Bill - came on the heels of the rapid approval of the PECA amendments by both the National Assembly and the Senate. The International Federation of Journalists said in a statement that:

"The amendments to Pakistan’s draconian PECA represent a transparent attempt to further tighten control over digital expression and internet freedom under the guise of curbing misinformation. By extending government jurisdiction online, broadening censorship powers, and imposing penalties for vaguely defined offences, this legislation threatens journalists, activists, and the public’s right to information. The IFJ calls on President Asif Ali Zardari to swiftly reject the bill and ensure the constitutional right to freedom of expression is upheld.”

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists said that they protest the passage of the amendments, and would  “stage a grand sit in front of the Parliament House in Islamabad on February 14, 2025”.