Cyber Surveillance and the Freedom of Speech: Evaluating Pakistan’s PECA 2016 and the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act 2016 under Human Rights Standards

In an unprecedented manner, this research critically assesses cyber-surveillance and freedom of expression, contrasting Pakistan's Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 with the United Kingdom's Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) 2016. In both jurisdictions, the extent to which national security priorities compete with the human rights of Free Speech and expression is explored through the relevant legal frameworks. The inquiry touches upon whether these surveillance practices meet international human-rights standards while zooming in on legal vagueness, surveillance issues, and lack of accountability. Therefore, it concludes that strong safeguards and a transparent regulatory mechanism must be urgently put in place to counter the abuse of such powers while fostering fundamental freedoms in the digital age.