Balancing Free Speech and Counterterrorism: A Legal Analysis of Online Glorification Laws in Pakistan

Abstract

National security concerns in Pakistan along with global challenges lead legal systems to handle the free speech counterterrorism measures as a difficult legal puzzle particularly through their criminalization of digital terrorist act praise. This research analyzes the equilibrium between state terror prevention responsibilities and freedom of speech rights by studying Pakistan's legal structure through the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. The study analyzes how such laws affect both free speech provisions in the constitution and numerous human rights standards. The research uses doctrinal research methods that examine statues and legal cases and engage in comparative law to examine Pakistan's online glorification laws against national and international human rights laws and constitutional rights. PECA 2016 promotes extremist ideology prevention but creates tensions with speech freedom rights which provokes concerns about improper law application. This study enhances existing research about security measures and civil liberties by proposing recommendations which aim to find better compromises between these two conflicting interests. Anti-terrorism laws must receive better judicial supervision through specific guidelines to protect citizens' fundamental freedoms.