Experts for recognising digital rights as fundamental HRs

ISLAMABAD: Speaking at a seminar, experts from the legal community, media, education, law enforcement, and regulatory bodies stressed the need for institutional capacity building, increased public awareness to secure digital lives, and effective measures to address technology-based gender-based violence (GBV).

The seminar, titled “Securing Digital Lives: Cybersecurity, Gender-Based Violence and Digital Rights”, organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on Monday, highlighted growing risks in cyberspace, weak enforcement of existing laws, and the urgent need to recognise digital rights as fundamental human rights.

DG Cyber and Vigilance, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Brig (R) Dr Mukarram Ali Khan acknowledged gender-based digital inequality and challenges in protecting women and children online. He said that many digital crimes are committed using fake SIMs and highlighted PTA’s efforts against illegal SIM sellers. He maintained that PTA blocks websites and platforms only on government directives and emphasized Pakistan’s improved global digital rankings, child online protection efforts, and collaboration with global platforms such as Meta. He said the government is also studying global models for restricting social media use for minors.

SDPI Deputy Executive Director, Dr Shafqat Munir, said cyberspace is an unavoidable reality and society must learn how to live with it through balanced laws, awareness, and responsible governance.

Advocate Malik Saqib Mahmood, an expert on criminal practice, said that cyberspace had become a vital component of modern life, and violence in digital spaces reflected societal challenges. He emphasized the need for effective complaint response mechanisms, swift redressal, and stricter legislation to curb false reporting of digital crimes. While penalties of up to 14 years in jail exist for certain cyber offences, he noted that weak prosecution and inconsistent court trends undermine deterrence. He called for reviewing prosecution lapses and improving enforcement, noting the difference between cognizable and non-cognizable cyber offences under the law.

Director National Curriculum Council Dr Tabassum Naz said Pakistan’s approach to digital harms remains largely reactive. She advocated a “whole-of-society” approach, highlighting that issues such as cyber bullying, identity theft, and responsible digital behaviour are included in the national curriculum. However, she stressed that the assessment of behavioural outcomes and mental development of students is critical. She said rationalization and optimization of the national curriculum were underway with provincial consultations.

Former IGP and Federal Secretary Dr Syed Kaleem Imam warned that digital harm causes lasting psychological and emotional damage and that declining trust in institutions fuels vigilantism. He pointed to over-surveillance, selective policing, and weak institutional capacity as key challenges, calling for strengthening institutions, grooming individuals, and rehabilitating digital victims through education and awareness.

Deputy Director NCCIA Akram Mughal said cyber laws awareness is essential for citizens, noting that PECA 2016 clearly defines punishments but remains reactive in nature. He said Pakistan’s cybercrime conviction rate stands at 3.7 percent, as compared to India’s 2.7, reflecting a global trend of low convictions. He advocated separate data protection legislation and a clearer division of responsibilities, with investigation handled by the NCCIA and regulation by the PTA.

Executive Director IRADA Aftab Alam termed online abuse against women as “tech-based gender-based violence,” citing data that 1.5 billion women in low- and middle-income countries are connected to the internet. In Pakistan, he said, women’s access to smartphones and the internet remains significantly lower than men’s.

Referring to Digital Rights Foundation data, he noted that around 20,000 complaints of online violence against women had been received, while conviction rates remain below one percent. He called for clearer definitions, particularly of cyber terrorism in the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). He also stated that digital rights are recognized as human rights under the UN framework.

During the question-and-answer session, speakers emphasized digital literacy, rebuilding trust between the state and society, and strengthening the NCCIA’s capacity to address cyber threats.

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