A Critical Appraisal of Pakistan Electronic Crime Act

Abstract

This research study aimed to critically appraise Pakistan Electronic Crime Act. The findings suggest that although PECA provide a formal legal structure to combat cybercrime and digital abuse, significant challenges remain, including institutional limitations, procedural opacity, uneven enforcement, and concerns about restrictions on freedom of expression .the thesis concludes that while the regulatory framework has protective potential, but functions not only as a tool for protecting citizens from online harms but also as a mechanism influenced by political or institutional priorities. Political influence has always been on the surge in such regulations in which loopholes are usually created by party interest and objectives. Moreover, partial enforcement and implementation of the Act has already created many problems for the state and the institutions because the ruling party always protects itself and needs media support for which this regulation remained weakly implemented and its implications do not equally affect every individual and group.