A sweeping new law that promises to make Pakistan a “Digital Nation” is facing mounting criticism from civil society and digital rights groups. Critics argue the bill risks doing more harm than good when it comes to citizens’ freedoms.
The Pakistan Digital Nation Act, recently passed by the National Assembly and Senate, aims to centralize digital governance under one authority and streamline regulation of online platforms, data services, and cybersecurity. But rights advocates warn that, in its current form, the legislation threatens freedom of expression, privacy, and access to information and does so without any checks or consultation.
The bill proposes the creation of a Digital Nation Authority to oversee a broad range of digital activity, from internet platforms and digital IDs to enforcement of data laws. It came alongside controversial proposed amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, a law already criticized for being used to silence dissent.
Organizations like the Digital Rights Foundation (DRF), Bytes for All, and FORUM-Asia say the bill is dangerously vague and grants unchecked power to the state. In a joint statement, they warned the Act “would open the door to arbitrary censorship, state surveillance, and violations of the right to privacy.”
Civil society’s key concerns
Digital rights organizations have not only raised alarms about the bill’s overreach but have also offered clear, rights-based recommendations to improve it.
Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) emphasized the lack of safeguards for freedom of expression and privacy. They highlighted ambiguous legal terms such as “spoofing” and “glorification of crime,” which they say could be weaponized to silence dissent. DRF called for judicial oversight on content takedowns and urged the government to open the legislative process to civil society consultation.
Bytes for All, in collaboration with FORUM-Asia, warned that the law could legitimize mass surveillance under the guise of digital reform. Their joint statement recommended removing any provisions enabling unchecked data collection, and establishing an independent, empowered data protection authority to enforce user privacy and hold state institutions accountable.
Bolo Bhi, a digital rights advocacy group, criticized the bill’s failure to align with Pakistan’s constitutional protections and international human rights obligations, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). They urged lawmakers to define clear legal thresholds for state intervention and implement mechanisms for user redress and transparency reporting.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and other media bodies condemned the lack of consultation and warned that the law could have a chilling effect on press freedom. They called for the inclusion of media professionals, legal experts, and civil society groups in all future policymaking processes involving digital expression. Their demand is that the law must be grounded in rights, not national security rhetoric.
Across these critiques, a clear message emerges, transparency, accountability, and a people-centered approach to digital governance must be at the core of any new framework.
Implementation gaps and unanswered questions
Experts argue that the Act fails to explain how rights will be protected during its implementation. There’s no provision for an independent data protection commission, no framework for transparency, and no reference to Pakistan’s existing constitutional guarantees or international obligations.
“There’s a big difference between regulating the digital space and controlling it,” said a digital rights lawyer who requested anonymity. “This bill leans heavily toward control.”
The bigger picture
This isn’t the first time digital legislation has sparked backlash in Pakistan. But activists say the stakes are higher now, with the state tightening its grip on the online space as democratic institutions weaken.
“The goal should be a secure digital environment where rights are protected, not a monitored one where they’re stripped away,” said a joint statement by FORUM-Asia and Bytes for All.
Whether these recommendations are taken seriously remains to be seen. But for rights groups, the real test of a “Digital Nation” is not how much it can control online activity, but how well it can protect those who live, speak, and resist within it.
