STAFF REPORT IBD: The Pakistan Software Houses Association for IT and ITES (P@SHA) seems to have become active in press and blogs for quite few months but its members often complain about their unawareness association activities and programmes as one of the issues raised recently when few of its members said that they have not been consulted on the proposed amendments in the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance (PECO)
The Pasha Executive Committee did not consult with us but it followed the instructions of an American funded organization, claimed some of the PASHA members. Pasha is scheduled to propose an amendment in the meeting with National Assembly Selective Committee in next few days.
“We have serious concerns about what they proposed in the draft bill. If this bill becomes act, Pakistan will become the hub of pornography and other non-ethical activities will become rampant,” said a PASHA member who wished not to be named.
We are consulting with other members on this issue and will raise the voice against the some parts of the bill in organization particularly the issue of morality through censorship on internet, he added.
According to the PASHA Executive Committee, “The old law was weakly structured, draconian law that will be ineffective at best and at worst, a direct threat to civil liberties of freedom of speech, intellectual property rights and to foreign investment in Pakistan.”