ISLAMABAD: A large number of people associated with the Information Technology (IT) Industry, civil society and students on Wednesday gathered at F-6 Markaz to protest against the cybercrime bill 2015.

The protest was jointly organised by ISPAK (Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan), P@SHA (Pakistan Software Houses Association) and research and advocacy nonprofit Bolo Bhi.

The protestors demanded that the draft Bill be immediately withdrawn from the floor of the parliament as it has serious implications for media, researchers, academics and ordinary citizens.

They said as per Section 9, glorification of an accused (not convicted) person on the internet may be punished with five years imprisonment.

According to Section 18, any person harming the ‘dignity’ of anyone will be imprisoned for three years. Political criticism and expression in the form cartoons etc has been criminalized as per Section 19 (b) and accused would face seven years of jail and may be arrested without a warrant.

‘Immoral’ messages on Facebook, twitter, etc have been made offenses as per Section 21, without defining obscenity or immorality. Sending an email or message without the recipient’s permission will become an offence as per Section 22.

Convener of Bolo Bhi Usama Khilji told Dawn said that section 31 of bill gives the government/PTA unlimited powers to block access or remove speech, not only on the internet, but transmitted through any device.

“The corruption of the government is exposed on websites but now the government has the power to remove it. Both the internet and print media will suffer badly. In the name of terrorism, criticism is being eliminated,” he said.

ISPAK Convener Minhaj-us-Siraj said he feels Pakistan will be better off without this legislation. “Service providers may not suffer much but the community will suffer more,” he said.

P@SHA Representative of Syed Ahmad told Dawn the bill was made without taking the IT industry or the public into confidence.

“We are in contact with the PPP, PTI, ANP, MQM and other political parties to ensure that the bill would not pass in the Senate,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2015

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