Pakistan's cyber law is authoritarian

The Pakistan government has announced the implementation of a new law that would imprison those who circulate indecent, provocative and 'ill-motivated' SMS and emails.

Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency's Cyber Crime Cell has been tasked to trace and block such SMS and e-mails and take action against violators, who can be punished for up to 14 years in jail and their properties confiscated. Even overseas Pakistanis cannot escape the new law as the government can also ask for the deportation of overseas violators.

The aim is to stop malicious campaign against the civilian leadership, mainly President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Interior Minister Rehman Malik, who have been facing serious negative propaganda through the 'alternate' electronic media. Whatever the case may be, the new law is authoritarian as it is an infringement of basic rights of the people and must not be used to curb the freedom of speech.