LAHORE: In the wake of rapid technological advancement and rising cybercrime, the Punjab home department has prepared a first draft of the “Punjab Cyber Crime Control, Prevention and Punishment Act, 2024.

The first draft of the proposed cybercrime control law has for the first time identified all kinds of offences, including electronic financial frauds, fraudulent sales through online auctions or retail sites or through fake websites, mass marketing frauds and consumer scams.

In order to prepare stringent laws that cover all kinds of cybercrime offences and effective controls, home department secretary Noorul Amin Mengal in his first 10 days in the office has finalized the draft which would be discussed by the relevant bodies, including the cabinet standing committee on legislative business.

The first draft has also proposed creation of an investigation agency and procedural powers for investigation. It also includes a chapter allowing the Punjab government to seek international cooperation; prosecution and trial of offences; and preventive measures that include computer emergency response teams.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2024