Let's dive into how it impacts us all!
PECA Act: Understanding
Cybercrime Legislation
Group Members:
Ameer Hamza (221400016)
Hadia Ijaz (221400060)
Zainab Rasheed (221400083)
PECA Act 2016
Introductio
01 n
PECA Act 2016
What is PECA?
• The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (PECA)
• Enacted on 19th August 2016 by the Government of Pakistan
• First comprehensive law to address digital and cyber-related offenses
• Aims to protect individuals and institutions from online threats
• Applies to cybercrime, data theft, cyberbullying, and digital fraud
• Ensures digital safety across social media, banking, and
communication platforms
PECA Act 2016
Key Terms and Offenses Under PECA
• Unauthorized Access: Logging into someone’s account without consent
• Data Theft: Illegally copying or stealing personal or corporate data
• Cyber Harassment: Sending threats or leaking private content
• System Interference: Damaging or disabling computer systems intentionally
• Electronic Fraud: Fake calls, lottery scams, and phishing attempts
PECA Act 2016
Importance of PECA for
Digital Users
• Establishes legal protection against cyber threats and
digital abuse
• Empowers users to report online harassment, hacking, and
scams
• Promotes safe digital practices in education, commerce,
and communication
• Protects digital identity, privacy, and data integrity
• Encourages responsible online behavior with real-world
consequences
• Every action online is legally traceable under PECA
Topic 02
Realities – Crimes, Threats &
02 Deep Web Dangers
Hacking
Hacking means unauthorized access to someone's
computer system or data with intent to steal,
change, or damage.
Lahore Board Hacked by Student (2021)
Intermediate student changed exam result using
SQL injection.
PECA Section 3, 4 – Unauthorized access &
tampering
Juvenile court trial + digital evidence seized
Bank Hacking Incident (2018)
Debit cards cloned, Rs. 2.6 crore stolen via card
skimming.
PECA Section 10 – Financial data breach
Over 6 banks temporarily banned online
transactions
Identity Theft
Identity theft means stealing someone’s personal information
(like name, CNIC, photos) to misuse it without their permission.
Facebook Profile Cloning (Lahore)
Girl’s fake ID created, vulgar texts sent from her name.
PECA Section 16, 20 Misuse of identity, defamation
FIR filed, profile taken down by FIA
SIM Fraud via CNIC (Multan)
3 SIMs issued on girl's CNIC without her knowing.
PECA Section 17 Unauthorized SIM registration
NADRA & PTA cooperated, fake retailer arrested
Edited Photo on Adult Site (Lahore)
Victim’s image photoshopped & uploaded with fake name.
PECA Section 21, 24 Harassment & blackmail
Rs. 200 ransom demanded, blackmailer arrested
Online Harassment
Online harassment includes threats, blackmail, or emotional
abuse through digital platforms to scare, hurt or control someone.
Karachi Girl Suicide Case (2020)
17-yr-old blackmailed with edited photos ended her life.
PECA Section 21, 24 – Cyberstalking & blackmail
Note:"I’m tired. I didn’t deserve this."
Boy arrested from Hyderabad by FIA
Dua Zehra Grooming (2022)
14-yr-old lured via PUBG, manipulated to run away & marry.
PECA Section 20, 21, 24 – Child grooming & manipulation️Case
went to high court; Zaheer under trial
TikTok Girl Blackmailed on Snapchat (2022)
Private selfie used for threats, posted in college group.
PECA Section 21, 24 – Harassment & emotional abuse
Neighbor’s son arrested, 3-year sentence
Dark/Deep Web
The Dark Web is the hidden part of the internet that
cannot be accessed through normal browsers where
illegal activities take place anonymously.
Operation Bakis (2023)
Tuition teacher secretly filmed students, sold CSAM on
dark web.
PECA Section 22, 23 Child pornography, hosting
Arrested after Europol tip-off, videos found in hard drive.
Peshawar Student Using Tor (2021)
IT student caught watching & sharing CSAM via Tor
browser.
PECA Section 22, 27 Possession + criminal use of
system 400+ videos found, arrested from hostel room
Topic 3
03 By Hadia Ijaz
Important Sections of PECA
PECA has several important sections that cover various aspects of
cybercrime.
Cybercrimes Against Information Systems
Section 3 – Unauthorized Access(3 years imprisonment, or fine up to Rs. 1
million)
Section 4 – Unauthorized Copy/Transmission(3 years or Rs. 1 million fine)
Section 5 – Data Interference(3 years or Rs. 1 million fine)
Section 6 – Critical Infrastructure(7 years imprisonment and/or Rs. 10
million fine)
Section 9 – Cyber Terrorism(Up to 14 years, Rs. 50 million fine)
Social Media and Harassment-Related Crimes
Section 14 –) Identity Theft(3 years, or Rs. 5 million
Section 16 – Misuse of Identity(3 years or Rs. 5 million)
Section 20 – Dignity/Harassment(3 years, extendable to 5 years, or Rs. 1
million)
Section 21 – Sexual/Explicit Content (Modesty)(5 years, or Rs. 5 million)
Section 23 – Spoofing(3 months, or Rs. 50,000,)
Important Sections of PECA
PECA has several important sections that cover various aspects of
cybercrime:
Communication Offenses
Section 13 – Electronic Fraud(Up to 2 years or Rs. 10 million fine)
Section 22 – Spamming (3 months, or Rs. 50,000, or both)
Controlling Harmful Content
Section 7 – Glorification of terrorism(5 years or Rs. 10 million)
Section 10 – Hate Speech(7 years or fine)
Section 37 – PTA’s Power to Block Content
Legal Powers and Investigation
Section 24 – Content Removal
Section 26 & 27 – Investigation & Arrest
Section 11 – Forgery(3 years or Rs. 250,000)
Criticism and Amendments
PECA isn’t without its critics. While it aims to protect citizens
from cybercrimes, some concerns have been raised:
Key Criticisms
⚠ Infringement of Privacy Rights
Critics argue that certain clauses give too much monitoring
power to authorities.
⚠ Ineffective Enforcement
Delayed investigations, lack of trained officers, and backlog
of cases reduce its impact.
⚠ Political & Media Suppression Concerns
Some amendments were seen as tools to silence dissent
and media freedom.
Reforms & Amendments in PECA
2022 Ordinance
Extended criminal defamation: Now includes criticism
of military, judiciary, and state institutions—non-
bailable offense with 5 years
imprisonment Mandatory trial timelines: Courts
instructed to conclude trials within 6 months and submit
monthly progress reports.
Constitutional strike-down: Islamabad High Court
(2022) suspended parts of this amendment for violating
free speech rights
Reforms & Amendments in PECA
2025 Amendment Bill
Section 26(A) added: Criminalizes
“misinformation/disinformation” likely to cause fear or
disorder—punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment and
fines (PKR 2 million)
New Regulatory Bodies: Includes Social Media
Protection & Regulatory Authority, Tribunal, and Digital
Rights Protection Authority for enhanced content oversight
Expanded jurisdiction: Now covers websites, apps, and
any digital communication platform
Recommended Actions
To truly protect citizens from cybercrime, PECA must be
more than just a law — it must be understood, applied,
and trusted.
We can make PECA more effective by:
Raising awareness about the law through schools, media,
and public campaigns
Educating users on safe internet practices and how to
report cybercrime
Ensuring quick and fair enforcement through well-trained
cybercrime units
Supporting victims with legal and emotional help
These steps are not just preventive — they empower the
public.
Do you have any questions?
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