ISLAMABAD: National Assembly of Pakistan approved the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill (PECB) 2015 on April 13, and it is now pending Senate approval before it becomes the cyber crimes law in Pakistan.
PEC Bill has been facing severe criticism due to its strict clauses on seemingly benign offences such as spamming. Major punishments under the bill are as following;
Hate Speech – Up to 7 years imprisonment which could be replaced with RS 10 million fine or both. Implication is on attempt to create disputes and spread religious or sectarian hate.
Copy and Transfer of Sensitive Information – Up to 5 years of imprisonment extendable with a RS 5 million fine or both for copying or transferring sensitive basic information.
Also Read:Â Pakistan National Assembly approves prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill 2015
Spamming, unwanted text messages – Up to RS 50,000 fine for marketing and spamming messages without receiver’s consent. Repeated offence can result in up to 3 months of imprisonment and fine of up to RS 1 million.
Website for negative purpose – Up to 3 years imprisonment and a fine up to RS 500,000 for creation of a website for negative purposes.
Blackmail, Immoral/Obscene messages and publishing – Up to 1 year imprisonment replaceable with a fine of RS 1 million for forcing an individual into immoral activity (blackmailing) or publishing an individual’s picture without consent, sending obscene messages or unnecessary cyber interference.
Hacking and Interference in Sensitive Data Information Systems – Up to 7 years of imprisonment extendable with a fine of RS 10 million or both for interfering in sensitive data information systems.
Accessing phone, laptop other devices – Up to RS 50,000 fine extendable with 3 months of imprisonment or both for unauthorized access to someone’s phone, laptop and other personal devices.
Cyber Terrorism – up to 14 years of imprisonment extendable with RS 50 million fine or both for cyber terrorism.
Electronic Forgery – up to 3 years of imprisonment extendable with RS 250,000 fine or both for forging.
Electronic Fraud – up to 2 years of imprisonment extendable with RS 10 million fine or both for any kind of electronic fraud.
Cyber harassment and vulgarity – up to 1 year of imprisonment extendable with RS 1 million fine or both.
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