A Comparative Study of Substantive Offences and Enforcement Mechanisms Under the Cyber Laws of Pakistan and the United Kingdom

Abstract

The rapid proliferation of digital technologies has necessitated the enactment of robust cyber laws across jurisdictions. This research paper presents a comparative analysis of the substantive offences and enforcement mechanisms under the cyber law regimes of Pakistan and the United Kingdom (UK). Pakistan's primary legislative framework, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA) is examined alongside the UK's Computer Misuse Act 1990 (CMA), the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA), and the Online Safety Act 2023. The paper explores definitional gaps, enforcement disparities, procedural safeguards, institutional capacity, and the effectiveness of each jurisdiction's approach to combating cybercrime. Through doctrinal and comparative legal methodology, the study identified critical legislative lacunae in Pakistan's framework, contrasting these with the relatively mature and adaptive legal infrastructure of the UK. The findings for substantive legislative reforms in Pakistan informed by best practices from the UK model while respecting Pakistan's unique socio-political context.