“Anti-Vulgarity” Bill in Pakistan Proposes Massive Fines and Non-Bailable Arrests.
A new bill heading to the National Assembly could dramatically change what you can post, share, and watch online in Pakistan, proposing strict jail terms and massive fines for a wide range of content deemed “vulgar.”
Introduced by PPP lawmaker Dr. Syeda Shahida Rehmani, the proposed law is called the “Prohibition of Obscenity and Vulgarity on Digital Media Bill 2025.” Its goal is to regulate a huge range of digital content, from social media posts and web series to online ads and streaming services.
So, what exactly does the bill consider “obscene” or “vulgar”? The definition is extremely broad. It includes things like semi-nude images or depictions of drug use. But it also goes much further, aiming to ban content showing extramarital relationships, making fun of the hijab or the traditional family system, or anything that could be seen as hurting religious feelings or going against Pakistan’s cultural values.
The penalties are severe. If the bill passes, a first-time offender could face up to a year in jail and a Rs 500,000 fine. For a repeat offense, that jumps to three years and a Rs 5 million fine. For content considered “sensitive”—anything related to religion, women, or the family system—the proposed punishment is five years in prison and a massive Rs 10 million fine. Crucially, all these offenses would be non-bailable, meaning a person could be held in custody until their trial is over.
It’s not just individuals who would be affected. Digital platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Netflix would be under strict new rules. They would have to block any content flagged by authorities within 24 hours. Failing to comply could lead to staggering fines, starting at Rs 50 million and potentially leading to their service being suspended in Pakistan altogether.
To enforce all this, the bill proposes creating a new regulatory authority and a special board made up of religious scholars, psychologists, and media experts. This board would have the power to ban content and issue fines. For now, this is still just a proposal. It has to be reviewed by a parliamentary committee before it can be voted on in the National Assembly.
