Information Minister Attaullah Tarar dismissed concerns surrounding the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2025, assuring the media that the bill aims to regulate digital platforms without affecting working journalists. Speaking to journalists at the Press Gallery in Parliament, he emphasized that the PECA amendment is a step toward protecting the rights of journalists in both print and electronic media.
Tarar highlighted the absence of any existing mechanism to regulate digital media, which he said was shrinking the space for traditional media. He pointed out that platforms like the Council of Complaints of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) exist to regulate print and electronic media, but digital platforms remain unchecked. The minister cited an example where a social media user issued a bounty over a former chief justice’s head, yet no action was taken due to the lack of legal oversight.
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He noted that individuals without any formal association with journalism often spread accusations or false information on social media, with no authority to hold them accountable. The PECA amendment marks the first time the term “digital media” has been formally defined, covering online platforms, mobile applications, and other digital information systems.
Addressing concerns about the scope of the bill, Tarar assured the public that the Digital Rights Protection Authority, established under the law, would include a journalist community representative. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), he added, lacks the capacity to deal with crimes like child pornography and deep fakes, and the establishment of a Cyber Crime Investigation Agency is in progress.
