PM Shehbaz Sharif approved PECA Act 2024 to control social media

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif approved the PECA Act 2024 (Amendment Bill) to control social media in Pakistan. He allowed a proposed draft that will amend the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 during a cabinet meeting.

The proposed PECA Act 2024 has approved the creation of the Digital Rights Protection Agency (DRPA). Following the approval of the Cabinet, ministers will present the PECA Act 2024 in the Parliament.

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications has explored creating a Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA) under PECA 2016 to address dynamic digital vulnerabilities. Law Reforms Committee of the Cabinet approved it.

According to the PECA Act 2014, the Ministry of IT will implement the Digital Rights Protection Agency (DRPA) into action. The government will look into legal violations on social media and prosecute offenders of the recently approved PECA Act 2024 by PM Shehbaz Sharif.

DRPA and the IT Ministry will work on social media networks to promote a healthy digital ecology. It will control internet content and investigate PECA violations on social media.

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The Digital Rights Authority will be able to call and interrogate people who break digital rights and are involved in PECA Act 2024 violations. It is significant to note the Ministry of IT developed an SRO last week to set up the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency under the PECA Act.

SRO refers to Statutory Regulatory Orders, the regulations that the government implements. Hence, the 21st-grade or higher officer (over 63 years old) will lead the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency.

There will also be more director generals, directors, and additional directors at the Cyber Agency. The government will form Assistant Directors and other essential positions following the agency’s criteria. The federal government will appoint a director general for a two-year term for the agency.