Govt urged to review Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill

E-Paper | July 24, 2026

QUETTA: The Balochistan-Internet Policy Observatory Pakistan (iPOP) and a coalition of digital rights organisations, technology companies and IT security experts have urged the government to review the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill, 2015, which has been adopted by the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on IT and Telecom.

Arzak Khan, the head of iPOP, said on Sunday that the bill in its present form had failed to offer a comprehensive solution to cyber security threats.

“The government must review the law and not pass such a bill that imposes a fake compromise between security and our most basic rights.”

Take a look: Electronic Crimes Bill 2015: Big brother (and his brothers) are watching you

He urged the government to consult all stakeholders, including civil society, research institutes, think tanks, IT experts and most importantly, people who used internet before passing any legislation.

“The Internet Policy Observatory Pakistan strongly opposes the bill in its current form. The growth of IT and telecom industry is the key to socio-economic development of Pakistan, but the current bill, instead of creating an enabling environment and promoting internet access, is expected to stifle innovation and diffusion of internet.

“Internet is a great tool for development and we must take advantage of the positive aspects of this technology without suffering an undue loss to our civil liberties under the euphemism of ‘national security and protection of society’,” Mr Khan said.

“The Internet Policy Observatory Pakistan totally rejects Minister for IT and Telecom’s claims of the consultative process being open and transparent. The bill was edited with military level secrecy and all stakeholders concerned were kept in the dark. I believe that the bill will not take Pakistan to the next level of economic development but will pave way towards choking off access to the internet in the name of ‘information security’ an understatement for censorship.”

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2015

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Art

Apr 27, 2015 10:53am

I wonder why do the Govt need such an elaborate and ambiguous bill when they can simply outlaw online hate speech, theft, defamation etcc moreover what about the politicians who accuse each other of various things? are they going to be part of this law or it's just for the common poor man? I find it really amusing when they give examples of west, in western countries you can drink water from tap without any fear. And we are growing our vegetables in sewage water.

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KHALID SOHAIL

Apr 27, 2015 11:32am

In near future western banks will transfer the "black money" of corrupt leaders and high officials of poor nations merely on the name of cyber crimes. In addition they can harm to weak nations as well. Be brave, be strong or get ready to take off every thing.

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KHALID SOHAIL

Apr 27, 2015 11:42am

Who can unveil the names of dirty and gutter banks of western countries. They are hiding the accounts of corrupt leaders and high officials. Who come a citizen of poor nation can buy property and palaces in west, they are innocent they do not know and they do not want to know this crime. But they can send thousands of media force to other countries to telecast minor issues or election campaigns. After election they do not go to shoe to the world the result of western democratic election system. Masses of poor countries are curious to eat the fruits of western democracy but could not. It would be better to launch American Presidential system in poor countries. Other system like Pakistan is creating a bulk of new leaders every month and need power and money. President will be one and his one family, bulk of leaders can not black mail. But no good system is allowed for poor nations. HAZA MAFI KUAIS, HAZA SHUGAL KHARAB.

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