Legal Library

The laws used against online speech in Pakistan

A guide to each law and section: what it says, where it came from and how it is used in Pakistan today. Each card opens a full analysis with a link to the official consolidated text on Pakistan Code (Ministry of Law and Justice), and the incidents on the map whose reports cite it.

3 of 34 laws and sections in ATA

Constitution · Act

Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973

The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973, is the country's supreme law.

IN-DEPTH
Constitution · Article 19

Constitution Article 19: Freedom of speech, etc.

Guarantees freedom of speech and of the press, subject to 'reasonable restrictions imposed by law' (e.g. in the interest of the glory of Islam, security of Pakistan, public order, decency or morality).
Constitution · Article 19A

Constitution Article 19A: Right to information

Every citizen has the right to access information in all matters of public importance, subject to regulation and reasonable restrictions imposed by law.
PPC · Act

Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), 1860

The Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860) is the country's general criminal code.

IN-DEPTH
PPC · 121-A

PPC Section 121-A: Conspiracy to commit offences punishable by section 121

Conspiracy to wage war against Pakistan or to overawe the government.
PPC · 131

PPC Section 131: Abetting mutiny, or attempting to seduce a soldier, sailor or airman from his duty

Abetting mutiny or trying to turn members of the armed forces from their allegiance or duty.
PPC · 153-A

PPC Section 153-A: Promoting enmity between different groups, etc.

Promoting or inciting, by spoken or written words, signs or other means, disharmony, enmity, hatred or ill-will between religious, racial, language or regional groups, castes or communities.
PPC · 505

PPC Section 505: Statement conducing to public mischief

Making, publishing or circulating statements, rumours or reports likely to cause mutiny, public fear or alarm, or to incite one class or community against another.
PPC · 506

PPC Section 506: Punishment for criminal intimidation

Threatening a person with injury to their person, reputation or property.
PPC · 295-A

PPC Section 295-A: Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs

Section 295-A of the Pakistan Penal Code punishes "deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class of citizens of Pakistan" by insulting, or attempting to insult, its religion or religious beliefs, by words spoken or written, by signs or by visible representations.

IN-DEPTH
PPC · 295-B

PPC Section 295-B: Defiling, etc., of copy of Holy Quran

Wilfully defiling, damaging or desecrating a copy of the Holy Quran or using it in a derogatory manner.
PPC · 295-C

PPC Section 295-C: Use of derogatory remarks, etc., in respect of the Holy Prophet

Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code punishes anyone who "by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)".

IN-DEPTH
PPC · 298-A

PPC Section 298-A: Use of derogatory remarks, etc., in respect of holy personages

Derogatory remarks about the wives, family members, companions or caliphs of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
PPC · 298-B

PPC Section 298-B: Misuse of epithets, descriptions and titles, etc., reserved for certain holy personages or places

Applies to members of the Ahmadi community using Islamic epithets, titles or descriptions.
PPC · 298-C

PPC Section 298-C: Person of Quadiani group, etc., calling himself a Muslim or preaching or propagating his faith

Criminalises Ahmadis calling themselves Muslims, or preaching or propagating their faith, including online.
PECA · Act

Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016 (as amended in 2025)

The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (PECA) is Pakistan's cybercrime law.

IN-DEPTH
PECA · Section 2A

PECA Section 2A: Establishment of the Authority

Added in 2025. Creates the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority, which can order social media platforms to remove or block content (section 2R) and hears complaints about 'fake information'.
PECA · Section 2R

PECA Section 2R: Unlawful or offensive online content

Added in 2025. Lists the kinds of content the Authority can order platforms to remove or block, including content against the 'ideology of Pakistan' or that incites people to break the law.
PECA · Section 9

PECA Section 9: Glorification of an offence

Preparing or disseminating information through an information system to glorify an offence relating to terrorism, a person convicted of terrorism, or the activities of proscribed organisations or individuals.
PECA · Section 10

PECA Section 10: Cyber terrorism

Offences under sections 6 to 9 of PECA (and similar acts) committed to coerce or intimidate the government or the public, create a sense of fear, or advance inter-faith, sectarian or ethnic hatred.
PECA · Section 20

PECA Section 20: Offences against dignity of a natural person

Section 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 makes it an offence to intentionally and publicly exhibit, display or transmit information through an information system that one knows to be false, where it intimidates or harms the reputation or privacy of a natural person.

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PECA · Section 21

PECA Section 21: Offences against modesty of a natural person and minor

Publicly sharing sexually explicit images or videos of a person (including a face superimposed on explicit material) to harm them, take revenge, create hatred or blackmail them.
PECA · Section 24

PECA Section 24: Cyber stalking

Using the internet, email or other electronic means to follow, repeatedly contact, monitor, watch or spy on a person with intent to coerce, intimidate or harass them.
PECA · Section 26-A

PECA Section 26-A: Punishment for false and fake information

Section 26-A of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act punishes anyone who "intentionally disseminates, publicly exhibits, or transmits any information through any information system, that he knows or has reason to believe to be false or fake and likely to cause or create a sense of fear, panic or disorder or unrest in general public or society".

IN-DEPTH
PECA · Section 29

PECA Section 29: Investigation agency

Replaced in 2025. Creates the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which now inquires into, investigates and prosecutes PECA offences, a role the FIA's cybercrime wing used to hold.
PECA · Section 37

PECA Section 37: Unlawful on-line content

Powers to remove or block online content considered against the glory of Islam, the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan, public order, decency or morality, or contempt of court.
ATA · Act

Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997

The Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 (ATA) is Pakistan's main counter-terrorism law.

IN-DEPTH
ATA · Section 6

ATA Section 6: Terrorism

Defines 'terrorism', including acts designed to coerce or intimidate the government or public, or to advance a religious, sectarian or ethnic cause.
ATA · Section 7

ATA Section 7: Punishment for acts of terrorism

Sets punishments for acts of terrorism defined in section 6.
Official Secrets Act · Act

Official Secrets Act, 1923

The Official Secrets Act, 1923 protects state secrets. Section 3 punishes spying: approaching or entering a prohibited place, or obtaining, recording or communicating information that might be useful to an enemy, for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state.

IN-DEPTH
Official Secrets Act · Section 5

Official Secrets Act Section 5: Wrongful communication, etc., of information

Communicating, receiving or retaining secret official information without authorisation.
Army Act · Act

Pakistan Army Act, 1952

The Pakistan Army Act, 1952 governs the army: who is subject to it, the offences its members can commit, and the courts martial that try them.

IN-DEPTH
Army Act · Section 55-B

Army Act Section 55-B: Electronic crimes

Added in 2023. A person who is or has been subject to the Army Act and commits an offence under PECA with intent to undermine, ridicule or scandalise the armed forces is tried under the Army Act.
Army Act · Section 55-C

Army Act Section 55-C: Defamation

Added in 2023. A person who is or has been subject to the Army Act who intentionally ridicules, scandalises or brings the armed forces into hatred.

Plain-language explanations, not legal advice. The official text always takes precedence.