Pakistan introduces new law targeting social-media users posting ‘fake news’ on military, judiciary

It was approved by Prime Minister Imran Khan's Cabinet and swiftly adopted into law by President Arif Alvi, an official said

Pakistan government has introduced a new cyber-crime law that could see social-media users jailed for up to five years for posting "fake news" about the military, judiciary or public officials.

Critics say the legislation is the latest example of creeping restrictions on freedom of expression in the nation, already ranked among the world's most dangerous for media workers.

It was approved by Prime Minister Imran Khan's Cabinet and swiftly adopted into law by President Arif Alvi over the weekend, an official in the Presidential office said on February 21.

The legislation takes effect immediately but must be presented to the Parliament within 90 days for approval, though it is expected that Mr. Khan's coalition government will easily pass it.

In recent years, the space for dissent in Pakistan has shrunk with the government cracking down on social networks and traditional media outlets, who say pressure from above has resulted in widespread self-censorship.

Criticism of the security establishment has long been seen as a red line and rights groups say the new law further shields it — and other state institutions — from scrutiny.

"It will ... inevitably be used to clamp down on dissenters and critics of the government and state institutions," said the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, which called the legislation "undemocratic".