On November 10, 2008, Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari approved the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance 2008, a new law to combat cyber terrorism in his country.
The text law reads:
As far as I’m concerned, I believe that this law is one of the good means in combating terrorism. We all know how the internet played a big role in spreading terrorist propaganda and how powerful this means is. So having it criminalized might help limit such acts and also lead to catching terrorists.
However, this law might be used for other means. It could be used in restricting the freedom of people using the internet and give excuse to authorities to monitor people’s personal emails or get access to their computers.
I hope such laws will be considered in other countries, but they should not violate the personal rights of the regular citizens as it will turn into censorship, not terrorism combating.
blog.bassamsebti@gmail.com
The text law reads:
"Whoever commits the offence of cyber terrorism and causes death of any person shall be punishable with death or imprisonment for life and with fine and in any other case he shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for at erm which may extend to ten years, or with fine not less than ten-million rupees, or with both."
"Any person, group or organization who, with terroristic intent utilizes, accesses or causes to be accessed a computer or computer network or electronic system or electronic device or by any available means, and thereby knowingly engages in or attempts to engage in a terroristic act commits the offence of cyber terrorism."
However, this law might be used for other means. It could be used in restricting the freedom of people using the internet and give excuse to authorities to monitor people’s personal emails or get access to their computers.
I hope such laws will be considered in other countries, but they should not violate the personal rights of the regular citizens as it will turn into censorship, not terrorism combating.
blog.bassamsebti@gmail.com
