ISLAMABAD, Jan 19: The government has decided to introduce a new law that will provide for penalties ranging from six months imprisonment to capital punishment for cyber crimes.

Chairing a meeting here, Minister for Information Technology Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said the proposed law "Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill" covering 17 types of crimes, including cyber terrorism, hacking of websites and criminal access to secure data, would soon be tabled in the parliament.

The federal cabinet has already approved the bill.

He said the government would create special IT tribunals in Islamabad and other provincial headquarters to investigate and check growing incidents of cyber crimes.

Mr Leghari said the law would enable the government to seek extradition of foreign nationals through Interpol for their involvement in criminal activities punishable under the law.

The minister said the e-crime law would require internet companies maintain their traffic data for at least six months to enable the agencies to investigate cases.

He said the law would help draw more business and improve Pakistan's e-readiness ranking as reflected in indices maintained by various agencies and business journals of the world.

The minister said that a committee headed by PM’s Senior Advisor Syed Shariffuddin Pirzada would recommend within a month for constitution of a new specialised agency or assigning the task of implementation of the law to any of the existing law-enforcement agencies.

He said the government had followed a thorough consultative process, including study of similar laws being practiced in 42 countries, to firm up the draft bill, which after being passed by the legislature, would render reprehensible acts, such as criminal intimidation and sexual harassment through internet, financial fraud and identity theft, hacking, illegal access to highly sensitive data and cyber terrorism.

Pakistan does not have a specific law on cyber crimes and cases against cyber criminals are registered under the Electronic Evidence Act, 2000.

The National Response Centre for Cyber Crimes formed in the FIA headquarters currently serves as single point of contact for all local and foreign organisations on matters related to cyber crimes.