Cybercrime is a criminal activity

Cybercrime is a criminal activity

 that either targets or uses a computer, a computer network, or a networked device. Strong machinery is needed for cybercrimes.

Cybercrime can be defined as any crime committed with the assistance of a computer and a network.

Every nation, including Pakistan, is seeing a daily rise in cybercrimes. The majority of cybercrimes are committed by hackers or cybercriminals seeking financial gain.

However, cybercrime occasionally aims to harm computers or networks for reasons other than financial gain.

Cybercrimes fall into three broad categories: crimes against people, crimes against property, and crimes against the government.

The most common means of cybercrime are email, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Cybercrime has increased proportionally as a result of the continuous digitization and automation brought about by 5G and 6G technologies.

Cybercrime is expected to cost the world a staggering 10.5 trillion USD annually by 2025, according to cybersecurity organizations.

According to recent information presented at the Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication, the rate of cybercrime has increased by 83% in Pakistan.

Foreign cybercrime legislation has had a significant impact on Pakistan's cybercrime legislation.

It is broken up into 43 categories that cover a variety of Pakistani cybercrimes. The Electronic Transactions Ordinance (ETO) of 2002 was Pakistan's first IT-related law and is still in effect.

However, the issues of electronic document recognition, electronic communications, the digital signature regime and its evidential consequences, certification providers for websites and digital signatures, stamp duty, and attestation and notarization of certified copies are the primary focus of this law.

The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (the "Act") is the current law that regulates cybercrime. It applies to every Pakistani citizen, regardless of where he is located, as well as to anyone else currently stationed in Pakistan.

This law establishes a comprehensive framework for all forms of cybercrime, including cyberbullying, cyber stalking, spamming, spoofing, online intellectual property infringements, identity theft, electronic forgery and electronic fraud, cyber terrorism, unauthorized data access (hacking), credit card fraud, child pornography and solicitation, glorification of offense, hate speech, tempering of communication equipment, making, obtaining, or supplying device for use in offense, violation of the dignity of 

Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act of 2016 stipulate a variety of penalties for cybercriminals in Pakistan.

Depending on the offense, penalties can range from six months to ten years in prison, a fine of up to five million rupees, or both.

Anyone in Pakistan who engages in cybercrime, regardless of citizenship, is subject to these regulations.

Under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act of 2016, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) acts as a cyber law enforcement agency at the moment.

Although the federal government was required to establish a new law enforcement agency as the investigating agency for the purposes of investigating offenses under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, section 29 of that act states that such an agency must be established, which impedes the spirit and mandate of the law.

In accordance with PECA law, the FIA has been designated as the investigating agency for the time being. However, in the modern era, the agency lacks the capacity and resources to handle, investigate, and successfully prosecute these most cutting-edge technological crimes. As a result, despite having stringent laws, their implementation is weak, and the number of cyber crimes continues to rise.

In addition, despite the fact that the National Cyber Security Policy was approved by the federal government in 2021 with the mandate to have a central body to oversee implementation, remove bureaucratic obstacles, and carry out capacity building for the shifting cyber threat landscape, there has been little progress and the policy's pledged points are still awaiting implementation.

As a result, it is necessary to immediately establish the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act's new agency by providing it with the best forensic laboratories and employing individuals who are experts in cybercrime investigation.

To deal with the influx of cases and take significant measures to prevent cyber threats, discipline and resources are also desperately needed.

Establishing new digital courts and appointing judges with the expertise, legal background, and technological understanding necessary to deal with cybercrime-related issues and adjudication should receive special attention.

Additionally, the public needs to be made aware of the security measures that can be taken when using social media and how cyberattacks can be avoided.

In addition, public campaigns launched by the government should educate people about the dangers of accepting friend requests from unknown individuals, including the possibility that they are attempting to steal from you and that no one should be permitted access to your personal information or any relevant data through which they can access your debit or credit cards.

Additionally, the federal government should launch an information security awareness campaign and consider introducing new legislation to criminalize those who fail to adequately protect their data in the event of a data breach. This will help all parties involved in cyber security perform better.

Regular campaigns on print, electronic, and social media should be launched by the government, relevant departments, and especially institutions that deal with customers. These campaigns should explain to users how to secure their mobile devices, banking, social media, and internet connection to prevent cyberattacks and control social media abuse.

Despite the fact that we cannot avoid the use of information technology in this day and age, it is essential, like in other nations, for the government to implement all legal and safety measures, including the establishment of a national university focused on cyber-related issues and such modern technology-based measures to prevent cyber security threats and crimes.

In addition, it is crucial to establish a new, independent, reputable, and open agency to handle all legal, investigation, prosecution, and adjudication matters, as required by PECA. This will ensure that laws are followed.

There is no doubt that many cybercrime and security issues in Pakistan would be addressed by a suitable legislative structure and a robust compliance framework like the one mentioned.