Say NO to PECO 2009 Press Conference
November 10, 2009
I am not a troublemaker – seriously I am not! However, there are certain things that one has to take a stand on, especially when they are likely to affect not only businesses but also each and every individual who uses an electronic device – whether it be a computer, a mobile phone or a digital camera. I am speaking of the “Prevention of Electronic Crime Ordinance 2009 (PECO 2009)”.
Yes I know we raised a hue and cry over it in 2007 when it was first promulgated by the then President Parvez Musharraf. There was a lot of advocacy done using Youtube, television channels, newspapers and magazines, blogs and meetups. A few minor changes were made to appease us. Then the Ordinance lapsed.
A few months ago the current government reactivated the Ordinance. We raised our voices again and there were assurances that the Ordinance would not be used to suppress freedom of speech or expression.
Now we hear that the Ordinance has been sent to the floor of the National Assembly and there is every possibility of it becoming law. So you can imagine why P@SHA, ISPAK, civil society and business organizations as well as legal experts have joined hands to ask that the Ordinance be repealed and focus group sessions started to determine what kind of Cyber Crime Act is needed for the benefit of the country and its people.
P@SHA organized a Press Conference a few days ago. Here is a video of that conference. Barrister Zahid Jamil who has been a part of this advocacy since its early days, Sabeen Mahmud of T2F (representing civil society) and Nadeem Farooqui GM Legal of Cybernet (representing ISPAK) were present at the Press Conference.
Attached is a video of the conference which is mainly in Urdu.
Links to presentations and videos of the advocacy campaign that started in 2007 will be put up this afternoon. If you have any links of clippings or videos, please send them to us so they can all be available in one place.
The good news is that PM Yousuf Raza Geelani expressed reservations regarding the Ordinance in Parliament a couple of days ago. He has said that it will be sent back to the Committee for assessment and for public feedback. That is a very important first step.
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1. Tweets that mention Say NO to PECO 2009 Press Conference « In the Line of Wire -- Topsy.com | November 10, 2009 at 1:08 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by jehan_ara, Asim Zeeshan. Asim Zeeshan said: RT @jehan_ara: Say NO to PECO 2009 http://bit.ly/3Xa4dS. This is just the beginning of the advocacy campaign. [...]
2.
Salman | November 10, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Jehan,
Is there anyway we can have access to that ordinance in writing, or perhaps in the form of Word / PFD / HTML document ?
I really think, people should have access to it, or it could be uploaded to some forum related site, where by people, blogger, students, professionals could then, argue on each and every points.
We can then, show the responses to higher ups in Government.
3. Say NO to PECO 2009 Press Conference | Tea Break | November 10, 2009 at 6:21 pm
[...] This cup of tea was served by: In the Line of Wire [...]
4.
Nadeem F. Farooqi | November 19, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Leave me an email If anyone wants to have a copy of PECO.
Nadeem F. Farooqi
GM Legal – Cybernet
5.
TARIQUE AFTAB | November 20, 2009 at 10:03 am
This is the first ever step taken “In the Line of Peace”. Please keep this with full intensity and get those people with you, who have already victimized locally or internationally. Save all those innocent from the real criminals whoever they are wherever they are. Before making this Ordinance an Act, through this platform you can give awareness to the concerned much more what they are not aware till now. I request the Legislature to listen to the people or the man on the street before putting this Ordinance to become an Act. Save the masses at this point. Save the innocence from the criminals. It is the right time to tell the masses to protect themselves and fight for their rights which is in the their hands.