KARACHI: A senior Pakistani politician from a party supporting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ruling coalition on Saturday condemned the recent amendments to the country’s cyber laws, warning they would jeopardize freedom of speech and weaken the state.
Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) was originally enacted in 2016, but an amendment bill passed in January 2025 expanded its scope by broadening the definition of “fake news” and criminalizing defamation against government officials.
The law also established a new social media regulatory authority to oversee digital content and a cybercrime agency with the power to prosecute violations.
Speaking at a convention related to the issue, Raza Rabbani of the Pakistan Peoples Party denounced the PECA amendments as a “black law,” asserting they would further restrict an already regulated digital space, especially for journalists.
“Trying to stop or restrict freedom of the press actually weakens the state. Freedom of expression is a fundamental right,” Rabbani said, highlighting the law’s “vague provisions on fake news” and other reforms that he warned could be easily manipulated.
He criticized the government for failing to consult stakeholders before enacting the amendments and urged an immediate suspension of the law’s implementation. Rabbani called for dialogue with journalists, civil society and other relevant groups to revise the legislation.
Barrister Salahuddin Ahmed, a legal expert, told the gathering the amendments undermined democratic principles by granting the government disproportionate power.
He also warned against the new authority mandated to take swift action against social media platforms during his speech.
“This authority is empowered to block platforms and remove content within 24 hours of a complaint being filed,” Ahmed said. “This gives an alarming level of unchecked power to a single body, which could easily be misused to stifle dissent.”
Sohail Afzal Khan, secretary of the Karachi Press Club, where the convention was held, echoed these concerns, arguing PECA was designed to suppress journalists rather than combat disinformation.
“If the government had been sincere in combating fake news, it would have enacted legislation in consultation with journalist leadership and other stakeholders. Instead, it seeks to suppress the voice of journalists,” Khan said.
The event was attended by representatives from major political parties, lawyers, rights activists and media workers, culminating in a resolution rejecting PECA 2025.
The resolution called for the removal of restrictions on free speech and an end to legal actions against journalists under the pretext of combating misinformation.
“The meeting resolves to continue its struggle against PECA and similar laws, within democratic frameworks, by collaborating with civil society and democratic forces,” it said.
Pakistan ruling coalition ally criticizes cyber law amendments, warns of threat to free speech
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Pakistan ruling coalition ally criticizes cyber law amendments, warns of threat to free speech
- Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act is widely criticized as a tool to stifle dissent
- PPP’s Raza Rabbani calls the PECA amendment bill ‘black law,’ says it can weaken the state
73% of foreign firms in Pakistan see it as a viable investment destination — survey
- OICCI survey highlights improved investor optimism since 2023, when it stood at 61%
- Regulatory unpredictability, high costs continue to keep foreign investors cautious
ISLAMABAD: Seventy-three percent of overseas investors operating in Pakistan now recommend the country as a viable destination for direct investment, up from 61% in 2023, according to a survey of more than 200 multinational companies released on Friday, signaling a measurable improvement in investor sentiment following Pakistan’s 2022–23 foreign exchange crisis.
The 2025 Perception and Investment Survey, conducted by the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), which represents multinational firms in the country, found that improving macroeconomic indicators and recent policy reforms have begun to restore confidence, though investors remain cautious about regulatory unpredictability and rising business costs.
“The 2025 Perception and Investment Survey ... provides a cautiously optimistic snapshot of investor sentiment in
Pakistan,” the report said, noting that “improvements in macroeconomic indicators and recent policy reform initiatives have begun to rebuild confidence among foreign investors.”
The survey pointed to relative exchange-rate stability after a period of steep rupee depreciation, alongside credit rating upgrades by international agencies.
“73% of OICCI members now recommend Pakistan as a viable FDI destination, compared to 61 percent two years earlier,” it added.
Despite the improved macro picture, the survey warned that structural and regulatory challenges continue to weigh on investment decisions.
“The broader regulatory landscape remains complex and unpredictable,” it said, highlighting delays in tax refunds, inconsistent enforcement and weak coordination between federal and provincial authorities.
Foreign direct investment, while showing some positive movement, “remains concentrated in cautious brackets,” with most investors opting for modest commitments despite a decline in the proportion of firms planning no future investment.
Rising costs were a major concern, with nearly all respondents reporting increases in energy prices, wages and raw material costs. Political instability, sudden regulatory changes and an unclear fiscal roadmap were listed among the top investor apprehensions.
The survey warned that despite the positive outlook among multinationals operating in Pakistan, international perception of the country has improved only marginally, adding that “negative global coverage continues to influence investment decisions significantly,” and underscoring the need for a more proactive international communication strategy.
