Pakistan's lower house of parliament has passed a bill with sweeping controls on social media that includes blocking platforms and sending users to prison for spreading disinformation

Pakistan’s lower house of parliament on Thursday passed a controversial bill that will give the government sweeping controls on social media, including sending users to prison for spreading disinformation.

A Trump ally has called on Pakistan to release the former prime minister from prison, inspiring fervent hope among his supporters.

The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), swiftly passed in Pakistan’s lower house of parliament following an opposition walkout, has sparked controversy. While the government claims the law aims to curb the spread of disinformation,

In a fluid, ever-evolving situation, it is difficult to predict or even visualise the exact shape of things to come. One hopes this fascinating and challenging scenario does not lead to a world where we smugly celebrate ‘access to free information’ and forget how algorithm-tainted it may well be.

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan, right, with his wife Bushra Bibi, speaks to the media before ...

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to 14 years in prison, while his wife Bushra Bibi received a 7-year sentence, after being convicted in the Al-Qadir Trust case, also know

Under the law, social media platforms would be required to register ... Journalists have said they face state pressure to avoid using Imran Khan's name, and most TV stations have begun referring ...

US President Donald Trump did not announce during a speech on January 19 that he would lift bans on X in countries where the social media site is inaccessible, contrary to claims that repeatedly surfaced online in Pakistan.

World: Pakistan's new social media law, introduced in January, raises concerns about potential impacts on free speech and democratic principles, sparking public debate.

Earlier, it was reported that Marwat was denied entry into Adiala Jail on Thursday to meet party Founder Imran Khan. The jail administration informed Marwat that Khan no longer recognised him as his legal representative.

Pakistan criminalised online disinformation on Tuesday, passing legislation that enshrines punishments of up to three years in prison, a decision journalists say is designed to crack down on dissent.