After a long debated, ridiculed, and almost dissolved notion, the Cyber Crime Bill was unanimously passed by the Senate after the National Assembly. The Bill’s implementation is now only subject to the Chief Executive’s signature.
What is the cyber crime bill?
They say if you want mass murder in a society, cover their eyes and switch off their brains. In this case, the government is also going to cut our hands and slit out tongues. The Cyber Crime Bill’s implementation means the “Freedom of Expression and Speech” is going to be omitted from the constitution of Pakistan.
source: www.gkocar.com
No Pakistani will be allowed to take jabs at the government or any political figure, no more Go Nawaz Go, no more direct punches (even though they might be concrete facts)- with the bill in practice, you lose every bit of freedom on social media.
Metaphorically, if you were to voice your opinions on political scenarios or personalities in a demeaning manner, the next knock on your door might be of the police, telling your parents that you will be spending the next several months (or even years) in jail.
Salient Features of the Cyber Crime Bill:
- Up to three year imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs0.5 million for creating a website for negative purposes
- Up to one year imprisonment or a fine of up to Rs1 million for forcing an individual for immoral activity, or publishing an individual’s picture without consent, sending obscene messages or unnecessary cyber interference
- Up to seven year imprisonment, a fine of Rs10 million or both for interfering in sensitive data information systems
- Three month imprisonment or a Rs50 thousand fine or both for accessing unauthorised data
- Three year imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs5 million for obtaining information about an individual’s identification, selling the information or retaining it with self
- Up to three year imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs0.5 million for issuing a SIM card in an unauthorised manner
- Up to three year imprisonment and fine of up to Rs1 million rupees for making changes in a wireless set or a cell phone
- Up to three year imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs1 million for spreading misinformation about an individual
- Up to three years imprisonment and fine of up to Rs1 million for misusing internet
source: tribune.com.pk
As it is, some pre-amended laws of the Cyber Crime Bill seem to be diligent and for betterment of society. But it is evident that they seem to be hiding behind the mask of political agendas by not allowing authoritarians of our country to be mocked at the hands of the common man.
The Cyber Crime Bill of Pakistan is indeed a Draconian law. One that isn’t present in any progressing country of the world. We are on the right track to become the next North Korea, accepting Nawaz Sharif as our Kim Jong Un.
