Contents which can be Restricted by Social Media Protection Authority  - Khalid Zafar & Associates

Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025 provides establishment of Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (“Authority”). The law aims to modernize and enhance the legislative framework for combating cybercrimes in Pakistan, ensuring alignment with present-day requirements and addressing the growing complexities of cyber threats. Recognizing the rapid advancement of digital technologies and the increasing sophisticating of cyber offenses, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025 seeks to safeguard citizens, institutions and the economic from digital vulnerabilities while fostering a secure and inclusive digital environment. The proposed amendments establish a framework from tackling cybercrimes through the creation of a key governance mechanism such as establishment of the Authority in order to ensure the  protection of citizens digital rights, regulate online content, and promote secure and responsible internet usage. The law defines the online content to address issues such as hate speech, misinformation and content inciting violence or harm and lays down parameters for its regulation specifically on social media platforms and enforce compliance with national law.  The Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority have powers to issue directions to a social media platform for removal or blocking of online content in the following cases.

1. If the content is against the ideology of Pakistan, etc.
2. If the content incites the public to violate the law, take the law in own hands, with a view to coerce, intimidate or terrorize public, individuals, groups, communities, government officials and institutions.
3. If the content incites public or section of public to cause damage to governmental or private property.
4. If the content incites coerce or  intimidate  public  or  section  of  public  and  thereby  preventing  them from carrying on their lawful trade and disrupts civic life.
5. If the content incites hatred and  contempt  on  religious,  sectarian  or  ethnic  basis  to  stir  up violence or cause internal disturbance.
6. If the content incites contains anything obscene or pornographic in contravention of any applicable law.
7. If the content incites is known to be fake, or false or there exist sufficient reasons to believe that the same may he fake or false beyond a reasonable doubt.
8. If the content incites contains aspersions against any person including members of Judiciary; Armed Forces, Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or a Provincial Assembly.
9. If the content incites promotes and encourages terrorism and other forms of violence against the State or its institutions.
10. If the content contains statements of prescribed organizations or their representatives or members thereof which shall not be streamed or made available for viewing on social media platforms.
11. If the content contains proceedings of Parliament or Provincial Assembly which has been expunged by the Chairman of the Senate, the Speaker of the National Assembly or as the case may be, by the Speaker of the Provincial Assembly.