Spreading False Information

Any person who displays false information publicly through an information system, with the intention of harming the reputation or privacy of a natural person, will be punished with imprisonment for a term of up to three years, or with a fine of up to one million rupees, or with both. When you post or share false information about a person on Facebook that could damage his or her reputation, you are not only breaking our Community Standards, but you could also be violating the law. Please keep in mind that this section does not apply to offenses committed by broadcast media licensed under the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Ordinance, 2002 (XIII of 2002)

Making / Spreading Explicit Images or Videos

Whoever intentionally and publicly exhibits or displays or transmits any information which superimposes a photograph of the face of a natural person over any sexually explicit image or video, or includes a photograph or video of a natural person in sexually explicit conduct, with the intent to intimidate or harass the person depicted, shall be guilty of a misdemeanour. Any person who, through an information system, causes harm to another natural person or damages their reputation, or takes revenge, or creates hatred or blackmail, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or with a fine which may extend to five million rupees or with both. A minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct; Person appearing to be a minor engage in sexually explicit conduct; Realistic images representing a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years. Or with fine which may extend to five million rupees or with both.

Further logical aspects

Altering an image of someone to make it look like they are nude and/or engaging in sexual activity without their consent is illegal. This includes superimposing a person's face onto a nude body or making a sexually explicit video or image of someone without their permission. Broadcasting or posting such content on Facebook or through any other medium (such as Whatsapp) is also against

Child pornography

Anyone who intentionally produces, makes available, distributes, or transmits through an information system any material that depicts a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, or procures such material for themselves or another person without lawful justification, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of up to seven years and/or a fine of up to five million rupees.

Cyber stalking

If you try to force a relationship on someone online through an internet website, email, or SMS, phone, or any communication tool, despite there being disinterest from the other party, you can be jailed for three years or fined up to one million rupees, or both. This includes repeatedly calling someone, despite the other party asking you not to, or sending emails with no interest shown by the other party. Do something in a manner that another party is harassed out of your actions is also not allowed. If you call, chat with someone and another party has no issues with that then it's all cool.

Hacking Email or Phone for Stalking

Hacking a person's email or phone in order to stalk them can lead to up to 3 years in jail or a fine of Rs. 1 million, or both.

Making Videos or Taking Pictures And Distributing without Consent

It is a criminal offence to take a photograph or make a video of any person without their consent and then distribute it in a way that harms them. If you are caught doing this, you could be jailed for up to three years and/or fined up to Rs. 1 million.

CYBER STALKING WITH A MINOR

Cyberstalking of a minor is punishable by up to 5 years in jail and/or a fine of up to 10 million rupees. This offense includes activities such as: Making contact with the minor in a way that harasses them Taking photographs or making videos of the minor without their consent Blackmailing Spying on minors

Hate Speech

Hate speech is a serious offense that can carry a prison sentence of up to seven years, a fine, or both. Anyone who prepares or distributes information that could trigger inter-faith, sectarian, or racial hatred using any information system or device can be punished under this law.

Spamming

If you spam someone with emails or SMS messages without their permission, you could face a fine of up to Rs. 50,000 for the first offense. Subsequent offenses could result in a fine of up to Rs. 5 million. You may also be sent to jail for up to three months.

Spoofing

Spoofing covers a wide range of activities, but all with the same malicious goal - to deceive someone into thinking that a fraudulent message or website is actually from a legitimate source. These actions can result in up to 3 years in jail and/or a fine of up to Rs. 500,00.

Malicious Code

Whoever commits the offense of writing, offering, making available, distributing, or transmitting malicious code with the intention of causing harm to any information system or data resulting in the corruption, destruction, alteration suppression, theft, or loss of the information system or data shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with a fine which may extend to one million rupees or with both

UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO INFORMATION SYSTEM OR DATA

According to the law, if you access any information system or data with the intention to commit a crime, you could go to jail for up to three months or be fined up to Rs. 50,000, or both. It is unclear how the term “dishonest” will be defined by the courts. Even worse, how will they establish if any attempt was dishonest or not? These punishments will be applicable if access to information is gained through infringing any security measure or procedure.

UNAUTHORIZED COPYING OR TRANSMISSION OF DATA

This section applies to anyone who copies or transmits data without authorization and with dishonest intention. If you are caught doing this, you may be punished with imprisonment for up to six months, a fine of up to 100,000 rupees, or both.

INTERFERENCE WITH INFORMATION SYSTEM OR DATA

If you damage or interfere with any part of an information system or data, you could be punished with imprisonment for up to two years, a fine of up to 500,000 rupees, or both. So, if you access or change someone else's data without their permission, you could be facing some serious consequences.

UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE INFORMATION SYSTEM OR DATA

Whoever accesses any critical infrastructure information system or data without proper authorization or with the intention to cause harm, shall be punished with imprisonment for up to three years, or a fine of up to one million rupees, or both. Critical infrastructure refers to the systems and assets that are essential to the functioning of a society and economy. These include, but are not limited to: Assets: Physical things like buildings, equipment, and land Facilities: Services and operations like hospitals, power plants, and water treatment facilities Systems: A group of interconnected elements that work together to achieve a common goal, like transportation or communication networks Networks: Two or more nodes (points of connection) that are interconnected, like the Internet or a power grid

UNAUTHORIZED COPYING OR TRANSMISSION OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE DATA

Whoever copies or transmits critical infrastructure data without authorization or with dishonest intent will be punished with imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to five million rupees, or both

INTERFERENCE WITH CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE INFORMATION SYSTEM OR DATA

Whoever interferes with or damages a critical information system, or data, with the intention of being dishonest, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to seven years or with a fine which may extend to ten million rupees, or with both.

GLORIFICATION OF AN OFFENCE

Whoever prepares or spreads information about an act of terrorism with the intent to glorify it, or any person convicted of a crime relating to terrorism, or activities of prescribed organizations or individuals or groups shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or with a fine of up to ten million rupees or with both

CYBER TERRORISM

If anyone hacks into, copies, or destroys a critical information system with the goal of creating fear, panic, or insecurity in the government or public, they can be punished with imprisonment for up to 14 years or a fine of up to 50 million rupees, or both

ONLINE RECRUITMENT, FUNDING OF TERRORISM

Whoever prepares or distributes information, through any information system or device, for the purpose of funding or recruiting people for terrorism or making plans for terrorism, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, or with a fine, or both.

ELECTRONIC FORGERY

Interfering with or using any information system, device, or data with the intent to cause damage, injury, or fraud is a punishable offense. Information systems store data that can be easily accessed and used by anyone with an internet connection. These systems were created for the purpose of making life easier for people, but some people misuse them for illegal or harmful means. If a person is found to be forging, manipulating, or doctoring data as if it were authentic, regardless of whether the data is intelligible or not, they shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with a fine of two hundred and fifty thousand rupees or with both.

ELECTRONIC FORGERY OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

If any electronic forgery is done in relation to a critical infrastructure information system or data, the offender shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or with a fine which may extend to five million rupees or both.

ELECTRONIC FRAUD

Whoever intentionally interferes with or uses any information system, device or data, or induces any person to enter into a relationship or deceives any person, which act is likely to cause damage or harm to that person or any other person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with a fine which may extend to ten million rupees, or with both.

MAKING, OBTAINING, OR SUPPLYING DEVICE FOR USE IN OFFENCE

If you produce, make, generate, adapt, export, supply, offer to supply, or import any information system, data, or device with the intent to be used or believing that it is primarily to be used to commit or assist in the commission of an offense under this Act, you will be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with a fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees or with both.

UNAUTHORIZED USE OF IDENTITY INFORMATION

If anyone is caught illegally obtaining, selling, or using another person's identity information, they will be punishable by imprisonment for up to three years and/or a fine of up to five million rupees.

UNAUTHORIZED ISSUANCE OF SIM CARDS ETC

Whoever sells or provides SIM cards without obtaining and verifying the subscriber’s details in a manner that’s not allowed by PTA, will be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years with or with fine which may extend to five hundred thousand rupees or with both.

TAMPERING OF COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT

Whoever unlawfully or without authorization changes, alters, tampers with, or re-programs any communication equipment, including a cellular or wireless handset, and starts using or marketing such device for transmitting and receiving information, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years or with a fine which may extend to one million rupees, or with both.

Cyber Crime Law