PK Death Penalty for Electronic Crimes

Pakistan has promulgated the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance, 2008 (Ordinance No. IX of 2008). Note the death penalty is specifically mentioned for certain electronic crimes, such as terroristic acts, as explained here:

Explanation 2.- For the purposes of this section the expression “terroristic act” includes, but is not limited to,-

(a) altering by addition, deletion, or change or attempting to alter information that may result in the imminent injury, sickness, or death to any segment of the population;

(b) transmission or attempted transmission of a harmful program with the purpose of substantially disrupting or disabling any computer network operated by the Government or any public entity;

(c) aiding the commission of or attempting to aid the commission of an act of violence against the sovereignty of Pakistan, whether or not the commission of such act of violence is actually completed; or

(d) stealing or copying, or attempting to steal or copy, or secure classified information or data necessary to manufacture any form of chemical, biological or nuclear weapon, or any other weapon of mass destruction.

(2) Whoever commits the offence of cyber terrorism and causes death of anyperson shall be punishable with death or imprisonment for life, and with fine and in any other case he shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, or with fine not less than ten-million rupees, or with both.

This is the first time I have seen death as a penalty for committing electronic crime. One might think that the existing laws would cover maximum penalties for causing death, but apparently Pakistan wanted to write it into the text itself.

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