PECA amendments: govt proposes new lethal laws to curb cybercrime

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has finalised the draft amendment to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, introducing significant changes and additions.

According to sources, several sections and clauses of the original Act have been modified, with four new sections and over a dozen new clauses incorporated into what will now be the PECA Act 2024.

Justice Babar Sattar writes another letter to IHC Chief Justice, alleges intimidation

The updated Act proposes significantly harsher punishments for various offences compared to its 2016 predecessor, with many offences now classified as non-bailable. The federal cabinet has already approved the revised PECA Act 2024, and it will soon be presented in Parliament for final approval.

A notable inclusion in the new legislation is a dedicated section on cyber terrorism, with an expanded definition. The new law will classify actions intended to create fear or insecurity in the government, any section of the public, community, or sect, as cyber terrorism.

Additionally, supporting the objectives of banned organisations, individuals, or groups will also be considered cyber terrorism. Cases involving cyber terrorism will be handled by the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency, which will have the authority to utilise the resources of the police and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and to seize the property of the accused.

IHC stays blocking of mobile phone SIMs of non-filers

Penalties under Section 8, which deals with interference with personal information, have been increased from three years to seven years. The Act also proposes a replacement for the hate speech clause and introduces a separate section for the recruitment, financing, and planning of terrorist activities.

Penalties for electronic forgery are set to increase from three years to seven years, or a fine of Rs 5 million, or both.

Additional proposals include a five-year punishment for the use of virtual or cryptocurrency without the permission of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP); an increase in the penalty for producing or supplying electronic devices with the intent of being used for an offence from six months to three years; and a rise in the punishment for using identity information without permission from three years to seven years.

Intra-party elections case: PTI to submit detailed response to ECP today

The punishment for illegal voice traffic transmission is proposed to increase to three years, and for malicious code creation, from two years to seven years.

The revised PECA Bill 2024 also allows the federal government to form a joint investigation team for any cyber issue, with the requirement that the team submit its report within 45 days. Furthermore, cases involving child abuse and harassment of women will be tried in-camera to protect the victims.