Section 2R: Unlawful or offensive online content

2R. Unlawful or offensive online content.__ (1) The Authority shall have the power to issue directions to a social media platform for removal or blocking of online content, if such online content__ (a) is against the ideology of Pakistan, etc.; (b) incites the public to violate the law, take the law in own hands, with a view to coerce, intimidate or terrorize public, individuals, groups, communities, government officials and institutions; (c) incites public or section of public to cause damage to governmental or private property; (d) coerce or intimidate public or section of public and thereby preventing them from carrying on their lawful trade and disrupts civic life; (e) incites hatred and contempt on religious, sectarian or ethnic basis to stir up violence or cause internal disturbance; (f) contains anything obscene or pornographic in contravention of any applicable law; (g) is known to be fake, or false or there exist sufficient reasons to believe that the same may he fake or false beyond a reasonable doubt; (h) contains aspersions against any person including members of Judiciary; Armed Forces, Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or a Provincial Assembly; or (i) promotes and encourages terrorism and other forms of violence against the State or its institutions. (2) Without prejudice to any other restrictions in this regard, while reporting the proceedings of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or a Provincial Assembly, such portion of the proceedings as the Chairman of the Senate, the Speaker of the National Assembly or, as the case may be, Speaker of the Provincial Assembly may have ordered to be expunged, shall not be streamed or made available for viewing on social media platforms in any manner and every effort shall be made to release a fair account of the proceedings. (3) The statements of prescribed organizations or their representatives or members thereof shall not be streamed or made available for viewing on social media platforms in any manner.

Effective date: 2016-08-18

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