Legal Help · Published March 29, 2026
Cyberbullying and Online Harassment Laws in Pakistan
"It's just online" is not how Pakistani law treats repeated harassment, threats, or false claims made through a screen. Here's the specific legal provisions that apply.
Quick answer
Cyberbullying and online harassment are covered under PECA 2016 — Section 24 (cyberstalking), Section 20 (dignity/defamation), and Section 21 (modesty, non-consensual images). Victims (or a minor's guardian) can request content removal or blocking and file a criminal complaint with the NCCIA in parallel.
The provisions that apply
Section 24 PECA — cyberstalking
Covers repeated, unwanted contact intended to coerce, intimidate, or harass someone, or monitoring their online activity, despite a clear indication of disinterest — the core provision behind most cyberbullying and online harassment cases.
Section 20 PECA — offences against dignity
Covers publishing or transmitting false information intended to harm someone's reputation — relevant where bullying takes the form of spreading false claims rather than direct contact.
Section 21 PECA — offences against modesty
Covers non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit or intimate material, and superimposing someone's image — a specific and serious category of online harassment with its own, more severe treatment.
Blocking and removal requests
An aggrieved person (or their guardian, for a minor) can apply for removal, destruction, or blocking of harmful content — a remedy that can work alongside, not instead of, a criminal complaint.
What Wakeel.org can help with
Explaining which PECA provision may apply and helping you organize evidence, in plain English or Urdu.
What it cannot do
It cannot file a complaint or removal request, or represent anyone — a licensed advocate or the NCCIA directly should handle that.
Frequently asked questions
Is cyberbullying illegal in Pakistan?
Yes — depending on its form, cyberbullying can fall under Section 24 PECA (cyberstalking), Section 20 PECA (offences against dignity, for false or defamatory content), or Section 21 PECA (offences against modesty, for non-consensual images), each with its own punishment.
What can a minor's guardian do about online harassment in Pakistan?
A guardian can apply on a minor's behalf for removal, destruction, or blocking of harmful content, alongside filing a criminal complaint with the NCCIA where the conduct meets the threshold for a PECA offence.
What evidence is needed for an online harassment complaint?
Screenshots with visible timestamps and URLs, saved messages, the harasser's account details where known, and a clear timeline of the repeated contact or content — preserved before it can be deleted.
Can someone be prosecuted for harassment even if they used a fake account?
Yes — investigation can trace activity back to a real person regardless of the account name used, though this depends on the evidence available and cooperation from platforms, which is one reason prompt reporting and evidence preservation matter.
Can Wakeel.org help with a cyberbullying situation?
Wakeel.org can explain which PECA provision may apply and help you organize evidence, in plain English or Urdu. It cannot file a complaint or removal request, or represent anyone — a licensed advocate or the NCCIA directly should handle that.
General educational information, not legal advice. See our full disclaimer.
Sources and further reading
Related reading
Being harassed online?
Ask Wakeel to help you understand your options and preserve evidence — then report it promptly.