CYBER Crime Bill was passed a few months ago after a couple of amendments by the National Assembly. The theme of the Bill summarises that any individual found indulging in unauthorised access to critical infrastructure information systems or data, or accused of producing, making, generating, adapting, exporting or supplying one’s property either in the form of picture, video or social account, will face imprisonment from six months to seven years or a fine of Rs50,000 to Rs10million.

One of my friends got his social account hacked. He had an idea about the suspects, but didn’t know exactly who was using his account. He up called and reported this at cybercrime portal. The response from the authorities was pathetic. They asked him to hire a lawyer for his case and make regular visits to the capital.

First, how can a student residing outside Islamabad, who can hardly make both ends meet and struggles hard to arrange his semester fee, hire a lawyer and go for regular hearings?

Secondly, if the government has taken an initiative to avoid the ever increasing social and cybercrimes, it should also send its focal persons to each district where the applicant can consult them.

Moreover, toll-free numbers should be published on the website of the authorities concerned. Otherwise, the applicant will have his issues increased rather than getting them resolved.

Dildar Ahmed Saqib

Chiniot

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2017