Daily Times

Sir: On April 16, 2015, the National Assembly’s standing committee approved a new electronic crime bill, now referred to parliament for final approval. In this bill, it is evident that the authorities have tried to deprive the citizens of Pakistan of their basic right of criticising political figures. People have been hindered by the authorities from making any analysis in the form of blogs. They are not even allowed to make fun in the form of memes, cartoons, etc. The bill deals mostly with the ‘moral’ use of the internet rather than dealing with cyber crimes. It seems the authorities do not like criticism at all and that is why they do not want people to talk about them in any negative way.
There has been a great uproar on social media since this bill was drafted. Observers conceive that the bill is not only going to damage freedom rights but will also prove insignificant in curbing the surging cyber crime rate in Pakistan. People are now asking that if they are not going to be allowed to express their views on social media, why should they consider this government as being democratic? Legislators should know that divesting the speaking rights of the people is not only wrong but also against the Constitution of Pakistan.
MOHAMMAD HASSAM SIDDIQI
Karachi