In response to growing concerns about digital misinformation, hate speech, and unregulated online content, the Punjab government established the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA) in late 2024. PERA’s primary objective is to combat digital misinformation and promote ethical reporting in the digital space.
PERA aims to enforce ethical reporting standards across digital platforms while complementing national-level efforts under Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). As social media plays an increasingly central role in shaping public opinion, PERA emerges as a provincial initiative aimed at enhancing accountability and civic responsibility online.
Scope and Authority
PERA was established under the Punjab Enforcement and Regulation Act, 2024, with the mission of combating misinformation, regulating online content, and upholding ethical standards in online communications. This includes, but is not limited to, misinformation campaigns, online defamation, hate speech, and extremist content. Led by Chairperson Maryam Nawaz Sharif and supported by Secretary Rafaqat Ali Nissoana and Director General Capt. Farrukh Atiq Khan, PERA is operational across all 154 tehsils and subdivisions in the province. The authority is empowered to inspect facilities, issue Emergency Prohibition Orders, seize digital materials, and levy penalties where violations are identified. In cases of serious violations, arrests may also be made under relevant legal provisions. PERA provides protections to whistleblowers and has a set mechanism to encourage transparency and discourage abuse.
Why PERA Is Necessary
The need for PERA is underscored by the rapidly evolving digital landscape in Pakistan. Social media platforms have become critical communication tools, but are also susceptible to manipulation. Misinformation campaigns, online defamation, hate speech, and extremist content have surged, undermining public trust and social cohesion. While PECA 2016 and its 2025 amendment introduced new federal-level measures, such as the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA), there has been a recognised need for localised enforcement. The federal framework, though comprehensive, often lacks the operational reach and contextual sensitivity to address region-specific challenges. PERA fills that gap in Punjab by facilitating provincial oversight and swift implementation of regulations.
Key Objectives
PERA aims to localise oversight by establishing enforcement stations across Punjab that can respond quickly and appropriately to local conditions. Officers are able to address community-specific complaints about defamation, fake news, or incitement to violence—issues that often go unnoticed by national regulation.
A key aim of PERA is to simplify the management of digital services in a province where different levels of government, including federal, provincial, and municipal, sometimes have conflicting responsibilities. This can create confusion and halt progress. By bringing together authority under one roof, PERA aims to enhance teamwork among these agencies and reduce unnecessary duplication of efforts.
Another core focus is ethical content dissemination. PERA plans to run public awareness campaigns in collaboration with schools, universities, and journalist bodies to instil a culture of responsibility among digital users. These campaigns aim to educate the public about the dangers of misinformation and the importance of ethical reporting, thereby fostering a more informed and respectful online environment. It also emphasises transparency through public reporting and the protection of whistleblowers who report regulatory violations.
Working Alongside Federal Institutions
PERA complements national agencies like SMPRA and the recently established National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA). While these bodies focus on national security and cybercrime, PERA’s value lies in its local enforcement capacity. With stations in every district and specialised teams, PERA ensures that federal regulations are not only legislated but also implemented on the ground.
This layered approach—federal oversight paired with provincial enforcement—offers a more robust framework for managing Pakistan’s digital challenges. It allows laws designed to protect national institutions and prevent online radicalisation to be adapted to local circumstances, ensuring both efficiency and effectiveness.
Challenges Ahead
Despite its promise, PERA faces significant hurdles. Critics argue that laws regulating social media often carry the risk of overreach. Civil rights organisations have expressed concern that vague definitions of “fake news” or “anti-state” content could be used to suppress dissent or target journalists. To avoid these pitfalls, PERA will need to operate within clearly defined legal boundaries and uphold principles of due process and transparency. Groups such as Amnesty and Reuters have raised these concerns publicly.
Another major challenge is building the capacity necessary for meaningful enforcement. With 154 enforcement stations to manage, PERA requires substantial investment in digital tools, legal expertise, and personnel training. Without these, the authority risks becoming a symbolic institution with limited practical impact.
Balancing regulation with rights protection is also essential. If the public perceives PERA as a tool for censorship rather than a platform for accountability, it may lose legitimacy. Strong grievance redressal mechanisms, clear operational guidelines, and public engagement will be critical to maintaining trust.
To succeed, PERA must continue building partnerships with academia, civil society, media outlets, and tech platforms. These collaborations can support public education, improve compliance among content creators, and develop community-based solutions to disinformation.
Clear lines must be drawn to separate PERA’s mandate from those of other regulatory agencies. Regular evaluations and public reporting will help ensure transparency, while periodic reviews by independent experts can keep the authority aligned with evolving digital norms.
PERA represents a significant step forward in Pakistan’s effort to ensure ethical behaviour in the digital space. By offering a local enforcement mechanism grounded in the principles of transparency, accountability, and community engagement, it has the potential to become a model for provincial digital governance.
In an era of narrative warfare, fake news, and polarised discourse, PERA offers a structured and principled approach to reinforcing truth and integrity in Pakistan’s digital conversations. If implemented effectively, it could help shape a more informed, respectful, and cohesive online environment for all.
