Cybercrime Act to carry imprisonment from three months to 14 years

Lahore: A draft of the Cybercrime Act has been prepared in Punjab, under which the imprisonment can be from three months to 14 years.

According to the details, a draft of 'Punjab Cybercrime Control Act 2024' has been prepared to create a provincial cybercrime agency for the first time in Punjab, which will be presented to the Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs of the Punjab Cabinet for initial approval.

According to media reports, under the Crime Control Act 2024, cyber terrorism, child pornography, and sexual exploitation will be non-bailable offenses. The protection will be provided to the victim and witness. Cybercrime agencies will also be established under the act, while cybercrime will be punishable by imprisonment from three months to 14 years.

Under the act, there will be separate courts for trial. Earlier the federal government had enacted the 'PECA' Act, which is currently in force, to deal with cybercrime.

It is also reported that this cybercrime agency under the Interior Department and the law aims to prevent all prohibited activities related to information systems. Through the Act, the provincial government will be able to investigate and prosecute crimes related to information systems.

The media reports suggest that this law prohibits illegal access to any data or information system, child sexual abuse content, dark web, data loss, electronic and financial fraud, sexually explicit conduct, child sexual abuse, illegal interception, and Unwanted access to information will apply to those who illegally copy data or its transmission.

Apart from this, the Punjab Cybercrime Act, 2024 will also apply to cyber terrorism, hate speech, recruitment for terrorism, funding and planning, electronic forgery and fraud, illegal issuance of the mobile sim, child pornography, the use of information for child trafficking, sexual exploitation, and kidnapping, illegal trafficking of children, cyber bullying, cyber spamming and counterfeiters.