The National Assembly today passed "The Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2025" aims at modernizing and enhancing legislative framework for combating cybercrime in the country.

The bill, moved by Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, seeks to safeguard citizens, institutions and the economy from digital vulnerabilities while fostering a secure and inclusive digital environment.

The bill proposes establishment of a robust framework for tackling cybercrimes through the creation of key government mechanism, such as the Digital Rights Protection Authority.

This authority will ensure the protection of citizens' digital rights, regulate online content and promote secure as well as responsible internet usage.

The amendments provide clear definition and regulation of unlawful online content to address issues such as hate speech, misinformation and content inciting violence and harm.

The bill also introduces mechanisms to improve collaboration with social media platforms and enforce compliance with national laws.

The House also passed "The Digital Nation Pakistan Bill, 2024" moved by Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja. The bill aims to transform Pakistan into a digitally empowered nation by fostering a dynamic digital society, a robust digital economy and efficient digital governance.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar says no prisoner in Pakistan is enjoying the facilities being provided to the PTI founder.

Responding to a question during Question Hour in the National Assembly today, he said facilities, equal to a presidential suite, comprising an exercise room, kitchen, pantry and a walking gallery, along with an expert chef, are at the disposal of the PTI founder.

He said the PTI time and again moved courts to get more facilities for its founder.

The Information Minister said, while on the contrary, Khawaja Muhammad Asif was denied a blanket and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was refused a fan during scorching heat and a heater during winter season on the directions of the PTI founder, when he was in power.

Replying to another question, Minister for Energy Awais Leghari said the project of solarization of twenty seven thousand tube wells in Balochistan is aggressively being pursued. He said over three thousand tube wells have so far been solarized.

Answering a question, Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik said both Sui companies face shortfall in gas supply and demand during winter months due to requirements of space and water heating.

He said since the requirement of gas increases manifold, SNGPL diverts RLNG to meet the deficit. He said during winter months, both Sui companies devise a load management program which is aimed to ensure supplies during peak and cooking hours of the day to the domestic sector.

The Minister for Petroleum further said the government is taking several measures to improve supplies which include diversion of RLNG to residential sector for which maximum cargoes have been allocated in winter, provision of LPG cylinders through Sui Companies in areas where consumers face low pressure non supply issues.

Parliamentary Secretary for Energy Mian Khan Bugti told the house that various steps have been taken by the government to increase oil and gas exploration activities in the country.

He said eighteen new blocks and four development and production leases have been granted in this regard. He said LNG is also being imported to meet the growing demand for gas.