Summary Bill is being as draconian by various sectors of the society
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – National Assembly (NA) on Wednesday approved the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill 2015, in short the Cyber Crime Bill 2015.
The Bill is being viewed by various sectors of the society and the Information Technology (IT) business industry as a tool to curb certain rights of people whilst giving immense authority to the government. However, the Bill will be presented in Senate and if approved there as well, it will take the shape of a law.
According to the Bill, criticising the religion, inciting sectarianism, stating anything against the courts or the armed forces of the country online shall be dealt as an offence and the criminal is liable of being confined for a period of 5 years with fine.
Not only this, anyone found proliferating offensive material in the form of jokes or infuriating messages will also be fined 50 thousand rupees. Furthermore, anyone making a website for ill purposes will be fined Rs 0.5 million. Obtaining information regarding any person’s individual identification or forwarding it will result in a fine of Rs 5 million and 3 years in jail.
Anyone spreading wrong information about anyone else will be fined Rs 1 million and will be confined for a period of 3 years.
The Bill is being viewed as a draconian one by various sectors of the society as a huge number of people on social media have criticised the Bill, believing it to curb their freedom of speech and expression.
