figure 2. Restriction on freedom of expression under Article 19 of the constitution Blasphemy - Section 295 A, 295C, 298 & 298 A of Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 Against the glory of Islam Restrictions on Ahmediyya Community - Section 298 B & 298 C of Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 Against integrity, security or defence of Pakistan Constitutional restrictions on freedom of expression as defined in Article 19, Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 and laws defining the restrictions Affects friendly relations with foreign states Section 37 of Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 Sedition - Section 124 A of Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 Section 11 W of Anti Terrorism Act, 1997 Section 12 of Security of Pakistan Act, 1952 Section 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Official Secrets Act, 1923 Public Order (Meetings) Ordinance, 1958 + Additional laws at provincial levels Disturbs public order Section 20 and 21 of Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 Against decency or morality Section 294 of Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 Contempt of Court Act, 2012 In relation to contempt of court Leads to incitement of an offence Article 204 of the Constitution Section 37 of Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 Section 11 W of Anti Terrorism Act, 1997 Section 37 of Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Act, the Press Council of Pakistan Act, and other laws defining censorship and content regulation in films and advertisements. However, none of these specifically extends to the online sphere and thus they are not a subject of study in this paper. Curtailment of online freedom of expression Constitutionally prescribed restrictions on freedom of expression The discussion on online freedom of expression has to start with Article 19 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which both grants and limits the right of freedom of expression in the country. Article 19 states that: Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, [commission of ] or incitement to an offence. Most of the restrictions prescribed in Article 19 have been codified through a set of laws (see Figure 2). 106 / Unshackling Expression