ISLAMABAD (Media )
The government is all set to introduce the legislation bill of Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act into the parliament under which the offense of cyber terrorism shall be punished with imprisonment of up to 14 years and/or fine of Rs50 million, said an official source.
The draft bill prepared by the ministry of information and technology has already been vetted by the ministry of law.
According to the draft bill, a copy of which is available with The News, those who will commit cyber terrorism or threaten to commit any crime shall be punished with imprisonment of up to 14 years and/or fine of up to Rs50 million.
The crime covers a threat designed to coerce, intimidate, overawe or create a sense of fear, panic or insecurity or made for the purpose of advancing a cause (political, religious, sectarian or ethnic) with the intention of interfering, disrupting or damaging a public utility service or a communication system.
The draft reads anyone who is found of seriously interfering, disrupting, or damaging financial payment system, mass transportation/traffic system or other infrastructure used by armed and security forces shall be given the aforesaid punishment. If a person is found guilty of electronic forgery, he will be punished with up to three years of imprisonment and/or Rs500,000 fine.
The draft further states in case of electronic fraud the imprisonment will extend to five years with/without one million rupees. Discover the 2WinPower 2WinPower Casino Solutions Dive into a realm of seamless gaming with Turnkey Casino, where innovation merges with entertainment. It’s not just a gambling platform; it’s a whole new adventure. The penalty will not be less than the loss caused to any person.
It says anyone who makes or supplies a device that is intended or likely to be used in committing an offence under sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 shall be punished with an imprisonment of up to one year or/and Rs100,000 fine. On identity crime, the draft bill has up to six months of imprisonment and/or Rs100,000 of penalty.
Unauthorised interception by technical means of any transmission that is not intended to be and is not open to the public and electromagnetic emissions from an information system that are carrying data shall be punishable with an imprisonment of up to two years or/and Rs500,000.
However, the draft adds, the interception shall not be considered an interception if undertaken by an investigating officer or any service provider in compliance of and in accordance with the terms of a warrant issued under this Act.
This section shall not have any application upon the activities and functions of intelligence agencies or services and is without prejudice to national security requirements and laws identified under sub-section (2) of section 49 of this Act.
According to the draft, whoever commits an offence under sub-section (1) fraudulently, dishonestly or with similar intent shall be punished with up to four years of imprisonment or/and one million rupees.
Whoever commits an offence under sub-section (2) fraudulently, dishonestly or with similar intent for wrongful gain, loss or any economic benefit shall be punished with imprisonment of up to five years or/and five million rupees of penalty, it reads.