PM Shehbaz Sharif approves Peca law amendments to regulate social media

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday approved a draft for amending the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 to regulate social media, ARY News reported on Wednesday.

According to the details, the establishment of Digital Rights Protection Agency (DRPA) has been approved under the PECA Act 2024.

The new PECA Bill will be presented in the Parliament after the approval of the Cabinet.

Sources said that the document approved by the Law Reforms Committee of the Cabinet states that the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications has considered setting up a Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA) under PECA 2016 to deal with dynamic digital vulnerabilities.

The Ministry of IT will be responsible for the implementation of the Digital Rights Protection Agency, the law stated.

The authority will investigate violations of the law on social media and take action against those who violate the new PECA law.

The Digital Rights Authority will be able to summon and interrogate individuals involved in digital rights violations.

It is pertinent to mention here that last week the Ministry of IT had issued an SRO to establish the National Cyber Crime Investigation Authority.

According to the notification, 21-grade or higher rank officer, who will not be older than 63, will lead the agency as Director General.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency will also have Additional Director Generals, Directors, and Additional Directors.

As per the composition of the agency, Assistant Directors and other necessary posts will also be created. The Director General of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency will be appointed by the federal government for a period of two years.