Protection DeskNews Alerts
Live updates on risks, policy shifts, and incidents affecting civic space and digital rights.
Pakistan’s New Social Media Authority Starts Work on Strict Rules to Control Online Content
The newly established Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA) in Pakistan has begun formulating its rules and regulations, marking a key step toward implementing its mandate to regulate digital platforms and online content in the country.
Case filed under PECA: Imaan Mazari moves SC against IHC order
Human rights activist and lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari on Monday approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan against an order of the Islamabad High Court declining to suspend her sentence in a case filed under the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act (PECA), 2016.
Senate body forms subcommittee to examine Peca ‘misuse’
The Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting on Tuesday discussed in detail the issue of extensive lodging of FIRs under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) and decided to form a subcommittee to examine the matter.
Strategy launched to address online gender-based violence
The Ministry of Human Rights in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme on Friday launched Pakistan’s first national strategy on technology-facilitated gender-based violence, marking an important step toward addressing online harassment and abuse targeting women and girls.
IHC’s Justice Minhas questions what constitutes ‘fake news’ in Peca amendments
Justice Raja Inaam Ameen Minhas of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday questioned the mechanism for determining what constitutes “fake news” in the amended Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca).
Criminalising free speech by Usama Khilji
IF post-2016 were the years when Peca’s misuse against those exercising their right to freedom of speech and press freedom was tested, 2025 was the year when the gaps in the state’s ability to fully abuse the law were filled.
Data protection standards issued for companies to safeguard citizens’ personal information
The National Cyber Emergency Services Response Team (PKCERT) on Wednesday issued data protection guidelines for organisations handling citizens’ personal information, citing an increasingly insecure cyberspace environment.
Governing AI
PAKISTAN’S National Artificial Intelligence Policy, 2025, was approved by the federal cabinet on July 31, 2025, as a six-pillar roadmap to build an AI ecosystem. This is a welcome step considering the increasing use, application, availability and risks of AI in technology-related sectors, as well as the increased societal use of it. Whereas the policy outlines an ambitious plan related to AI in Pakistan, it can benefit with several additions, and the addressing of contextual realities including impact and risks that the plan does not acknowledge.
LHC sets aside ruling that struck down policy for regulating foreign funding of NGOs, NPOs
The Lahore High Court on Monday set aside a ruling that had struck down a federal government policy introduced in 2022 to regulate foreign funding of non-governmental and non-profit organisations.
Peca changes challenged in Islamabad High Court
ISLAMABAD: A faction of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Thursday filed a petition before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) challenging the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act (Peca), 2025. The petition, filed by Advocate Imran Shafique, argued that the legislation violated fundamental constitutional rights, particularly freedom of expression, press freedom and due process.