The National Assembly is expected to set a new bill “Prohibition of Obscenity and Vulgarity on Digital Media Bill 2025” is expected in next assembly session.

A private member’s bill introduced by PPP MNA Dr Syeda Shahida Rehmani. The proposed legislation seeks to regulate online content and imposes strict penalties ranging from Rs100,000 to Rs1 billion for violations.

The bill will broadly define Digital Media as online and offline platforms, social media networks, applications, and streaming services. It applies to a wide range of content including images, videos, films, dramas, web series, songs, short clips, live broadcasts and advertisements.

Under the proposed law, prohibited content will include sexual conversations, depiction of extramarital relations or immortality, semi-nude attire, drug use and material deemed offensive to public morality.

It also restricts content ridiculing hijab, purdah, or the family system, mocking religious figures, hurting religious sentiments or violating Pakistan’s ideology and cultural values. To implement the law, the bill envisages the creation of authority, a board and a tribunal.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) will investigate violations, while prosecutions will fall under the prevention of Electronic Crime Act (PECA) 2016.

The board will comprise of 8 members including religious scholars, psychologists and civil society representatives, media experts and chaired by federal government nominee. The board will be empowered to ban content, propose fines, make amendments and also take Suo moto action.

The tribunal consisting high court qualified judge, a media professional and an IT expert will adjudicate cases.

The bill will further propose graduated penalties, one year imprisonment and a Rs500,000 fine for the first offense, three years and Rs5 million for repeat violations; and five years plus Rs10 million for offenses involving religion, women, children, or the family system.

Digital platforms and service providers will be required to report uploaded content within 15 days, block prohibited material within 24 hours of notice, and retain records for three years. Non-compliance will carry heavy fines Rs50 million for a first violation, Rs100 million for a second, with repeated breaches resulting in license cancellation or service suspension.

All offenses under the law would be non-bailable and non-compoundable. The bill will first be reviewed by the relevant standing committee before being put to a vote in the assembly.

The legislation comes against the backdrop of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, which was originally designed to counter cybercrime but has since drawn criticism from media groups for curbing press freedom.

“The government has to learn lessons, as the same law was earlier used against the very party that passed it in haste,” commented Mazhar Abbas, senior leader of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ).