Punjab drafts strict cybercrime law with punishment up to 14 years

LAHORE: Punjab has unveiled a draft of the ‘Punjab Cybercrime Control Act 2024’, which proposes tough punishment ranging from 3 months to 14 years for various cyber crimes.

This groundbreaking legislation establishes the province’s first dedicated cybercrime agency, marking a significant step in tackling digital crime.

The draft will soon be placed before the Standing Committee on Legislative Affairs of the Punjab Cabinet for initial approval. The proposed law includes stringent measures against cyber terrorism, child pornography and sexual exploitation, classifying these offences as non-bailable and providing protection to victims and witnesses.

The legislation introduces specialised cybercrime courts, which work in tandem with the federal ‘PECA’ Act. It gives provincial governments the power to investigate and prosecute a range of cybercrime, including illegal data access, child sexual abuse and financial fraud.

The Punjab Cybercrime Control Act, 2024 is intended to address issues such as hate speech, terrorism-related activities, electronic forgery, unauthorised SIM issuance and cyberbullying. The Act is designed to strengthen the provincial government’s ability to combat and prevent illegal activities related to information systems and digital communications.