Bolo Bhi traces content regulation over the years, starting with the Inter-Ministerial Committee for the Evaluation of Websites (IMCEW) notified in 2006 to Section 37 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016, and how attempts to consolidate content control over the years come full circle in the Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules, 2020.
We look at existing mechanisms that cater to harms against citizens and users online in Pakistan and elsewhere, which render no need for Section 37 of PECA or the CP Rules 2020, since these are essentially tools of censorship for the state, evident through government requests recorded in company transparency reports.
We look at legal precedents that safeguard rights and point out user self-help mechanisms that enable protection of citizens but not state control.
Download and read PDF here: Pakistan’s Online Censorship Regime: Section 37 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 and Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules, 2020
