[ISN] Cyber-terrorism will be punishable by death

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\11\07\story_7-11-2008_pg1_8

By Tahir Niaz
Daily Times
November 07, 2008

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari promulgated the Prevention of 
Electronic Crimes Ordinance on Thursday, making cyber-terrorism 
punishable with death or imprisonment for life.

The penalty is limited to an offence that ‘causes death of any person’, 
according to the ordinance that will be considered effective from 
September 29.

“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,” the new law states. In other cases, “he shall be punishable with 
imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 
years, or with fine not less than Rs 10 million, or with both”.

“Any person, group or organisation who, with terroristic intent, 
utilises, 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.”

‘Terroristic intent’ has been defined as: “To act with the purpose to 
alarm, frighten, disrupt, harm, damage, or carry out an act of violence 
against any segment of the population, the government or entity 
associated therewith”.

“Aiding the commission of or attempting to aid the commission of an act 
of violence against the sovereignty of Pakistan, whether or not the 
commission of such act of violence is actually completed; or stealing or 
copying, or attempting to steal or copy, or secure classified 
information or data necessary to manufacture any form of chemical, 
biological or nuclear weapon, or any other weapon of mass destruction 
also includes cyber terrorism,” states the ordinance.

Fraud, stalking, spamming: Criminal access to an electronic system will 
be punishable with up to two years in prison and a Rs 300,000 fine, 
according to the ordinance. Criminal data or system damage is punishable 
with up to three years.

Electronic fraud will be punishable with up to seven years of 
imprisonment and/or fine, ‘misuse’ of electronic systems with up to 
three years, unauthorised access to code with up to three years, and 
producing malicious code with up to five years.

Cyber stalking is punishable with up to seven years in prison and a Rs 
100,000 fine, and up to 10 years if the victim is a minor.

Spamming will be punishable with up to a Rs 50,000 fine for the first 
offence, and three months in prison for subsequent offences.


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