Pak's new cyber law

IN Media Watch Briefs | 12/08/2016

Pakistan’s legislature has put its stamp of approval on the controversial Pakistan Electronic Crimes Bill, which would enable the government to take down online content “in the interests of the glory of Islam,” reports Hindustan Times. Under the provisions of the bill, ISPs may also be ordered to block online content if it is found to be in breach of “public order and morality”. The new law, which will come into effect once Pakistan’s President puts his signature on it, has sparked fears that it would be a threat to freedom of expression. Pakistan does have a long history of suppressing online content it finds offensive. In 2012 the country banned YouTube for three years after it carried the trailer of the film Innocence of Muslims.

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