Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Cyber Crime Bill? Or the rise of the Fourth Reich?


An alleged Cyber Crime Bill is about to be tabled in the National Assembly for debate and subsequent passage to be implemented in Pakistan to “regulate” the Internet. No Objection! carry on because Pakistan does need a proper but friendly media/cyber regulation but that doesn’t mean a rise of the Fourth Reich or regulations closer to proverbial satellite communist states. The Government of Mr. Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League (N) is the epitome of an old and time tested principle: “we learn from history that we learn nothing from history”. Not very long ago, the government of Mr. Nawaz Sharif was facing a possible military-cum-political coup d'état threat from Imran Khan and his horde. In that occasion, it was the social media, the civil society and a few intellectuals (many of them work in NGOs, yes the ones that were sweepingly attacked by Ms Anusha Rahman, the IT Minister) who vociferously defended not only the supremacy of the Parliament but the very government of Mr. Nawaz Sharif, by ripping the narrative of Imran Khan apart on the social media. Let me remind Ms Anusha Rahman that the venom that she spat on NGOs is almost the same as the one prevalent amongst the several banned militant outfits in Pakistan. Ms Anusha Rahman, by attacking NGOs, is miserably trying to appease that very lobby of Right Wing Militants who were part and parcel of the Musharraf regime that overthrew Mr. Nawaz Sharif in 1999. Anti-Islamic NGOs Working On Bad Agenda: Hafiz Saeed Saturday, August 20, 2011 http://undertaker9.blogspot.com/2011/08/anti-islamic-ngos-working-on-bad-agenda.html Foreign NGOs weakening people's faith: Hafiz Saeed . May 02, 2004 http://archives.dailytimes.com.pk/national/02-May-2004/foreign-ngos-weakening-people-s-faith-hafiz-saeed

Cyber Crime Bill 2015 (Nasim Zehra@9:30 26 April 2015)

 

Cyber Crime Bill 2015 (Nasim Zehra@9:30 26... by SalimJanMazari


It is also worth remembering that similar curbs and strong arm tactics to gag the media during Mr. Nawaz Sharif’s second tenure, became one of the reasons behind his fall. Everybody still remembers how Mr. Mushahid Hussain and Mr. Saifur Rehman unleased fascism on the Pakistani press and prominent victims were Mr. Najam Sethi and Mr. Husain Haqqani. How conveniently the government of Mr. Nawaz Sharif has forgotten the way Mr. Siddiqal Faruq, Mr. Mushahidullah Khan, Mr. Pervez Rasheed, Mr. Javed Hashmi and Rana Sanaullah were treated by the General Pervez Musharraf regime between 1999 and 2007 and it was only the Media which came to the help of Mr. Nawaz Sharif. Yet the IT Minister had the audacity to declare the apprehensions of the civil society as hearsay, in a TV Show yesterday. Pakistan is a Third World country where law enforcement agencies act as a colonial force instead of people friendly force and when a country is exploding with religious and ethnic hate, such harsh and severe regulations would open the gate of mass persecution at the drop of the hat. For example, every Mullah interprets the “glory of Islam” as per the interpretation suited to him and declares anyone opposing his view as death-deserving and an apostate. War on Jang http://jang.com.pk/thenews/spedition/waronjang/

Cyber Crime Bill of Pakistan (Awaam 22nd April 2015)



Cyber Crime Bill of Pakistan (Awaam 22nd April... by SalimJanMazari

Another absurdity which is added as an offence in the Bill: “attacking friendly countries”. Now please browse the internet and look for the statement of Mullahs of different schools of thought attacking several Middle Eastern/West Asian countries, and all these Middle Eastern Countries (Gulf States) have friendly relations with Pakistan. Is the government out of its mind or does it want to fill the prisons with all and sundry who raises his or her pen on any international issue related to foreign countries? Another joke was to add as an offence the critique on the “integrity, security or defence of Pakistan”. By the way, has anyone gone through the Wikileaks and even routine news after the War on Terror? Pakistan is a tough and rough country where law enforcers often overkill and that overkill has culminated in the present state of affairs in the country. Above all, what guarantee do the common, peaceful political commentators have in the presence of these proposed harsh laws in the hands of brute law enforcers (believe me, I have been one, once). Ms. Anusha Rahman’s response: The Fair Trial Bill!


Lastly, some of the journalists and Urdu newspapers are equally to be blamed for suggesting moral policing in Pakistan and one such journalist’s ugly reporting blocked the efforts to lift the ban from YouTube and that particular newsgroup & TV Channel raised hell when the same logic of moral policing was applied on them last year. Therefore it is requested that the Pakistani media, particularly the obnoxious rag Urdu media, either stand with the civil society or with the banned outfits. Or stop chanting cries for press freedom.



Cyber Crime Bill? Or the rise of the Fourth Reich? April 21, 2015, 7:14 pm http://nation.com.pk/blogs/21-Apr-2015/cyber-crime-bill-or-the-rise-of-the-fourth-reich 

References:



1 - Senate passes 'fair trial bill' http://www.dawn.com/2013/02/01/senate-passes-fair-trial-bill/ FEB 01, 2013

2 - The Investigation for Fair Trial Act, 2013 http://www.na.gov.pk/uploads/documents/1361943916_947.pdf

3 Why Pakistan's cybercrime bill is a dangerous farce MADIHA LATIF APR 17, 2015 http://www.dawn.com/news/1176538/why-pakistans-cybercrime-bill-is-a-dangerous-farce

4 - ‘Flawed’ cybercrime bill approved http://www.dawn.com/news/1176440 JAMAL SHAHID — PUBLISHED APR 17, 2015 

5 - Cybercrime bill controversy http://www.dawn.com/news/1176124 EDITORIAL APR 16, 2015

6 - NA committee approves 'controversial' cyber-crime bill http://www.dawn.com/news/1176299 IRFAN HAIDER — APR 16, 2015

 7 - Modified Cybercrime Bill 2015 ( Peca 2015 Bolo Bhi) http://www.scribd.com/doc/262088477/Modified-Cybercrime-Bill-2015-Peca-2015-Bolo-Bhi

8 - Bolo Bhi’s Analysis of Government’s Proposed Cybercrime Law http://www.scribd.com/doc/262088815/Bolo-Bhi-s-Analysis-of-Government-s-Proposed-Cybercrime-Law

9 – PEC Bill as Modified by Expert Committee Constituted (Bolo Bhi) http://www.scribd.com/doc/262089027/PEC-Bill-as-Modified-by-Expert-Committee-Constituted-Bolo-Bhi

10 - Cyber Security Bill : NA Standing Committee Version (Bolo Bhi) http://www.scribd.com/doc/262089312/Cyber-Security-Bill-NA-Standing-Committee-Version-Bolo-Bhi









19 - The Pen Is Mightier... FEB 22, 1999 by Najam Sethi http://www.outlookindia.com/article/The-Pen-Is-Mightier/207042

20 - On Saturday, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority directed local Internet service providers to make YouTube accessible. But by the afternoon, Geo, a private television news network that wields immense influence, reported that anti-Islam and blasphemous material was still available on YouTube. The criticism was led by Ansar Abbasi, a right-leaning journalist who often speaks out on morality and religion. Yielding to the criticism, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf then ordered providers to again block access to the video-sharing site. The flip-flop drew an immediate rebuke from users and led to a flurry of jokes on Twitter about the government’s dithering and backtracking. Pakistan Lifts YouTube Ban, for 3 Minutes By SALMAN MASOODDEC. 29, 2012 http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/30/world/asia/youtube-ban-lifted-in-pakistan-for-3-minutes.html?_r=0

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Of Cold War, Domestic Espionage, & Wiretapping



Civil society, politicians often raise hue and cry over the political work and operation by Intelligence agencies and to some extent their apprehensions are right on the mark but saying this that in “Civilized World” there are some Laws and Regulations for these operations particularly in connection with Telephone Tapping and Bugging, is far from reality . I wouldn't condone or support any political duties or charter for Intelligence Agencies unless Human Life is in danger, Threat to the Integrity of the Country or  to Sensitive Installations, such political duties must totally be the charter of Provincial Special Branches of Police. Political Duties or Operation affect the morals of Intelligence operatives and affect their operational capabilities in their genuine area of operation and i.e. Counter Intelligence or Operations within their country to counter the operations launched by hostile forces , what is being done in Pakistan that almost every Intelligence Agency and Police too are detailed on Political Duties thereby causing huge financial losses to national exchequer and criminal neglect to their actual duties which is ultimately to restore Order in the state.

Telephone Tapping and Bugging - 1 (Apna Apna Gareban 30/3/15)



Telephone Tapping and Bugging - 1 (Apna Apna... by SalimJanMazari

 Telephone Tapping and Bugging - 2 (Apna Apna Gareban 31/3/15)

 

Telephone Tapping and Bugging - 2 (Apna Apna... by SalimJanMazari

Since the days of General Ziaul Haq the use of Spy Agencies in Political Duties to make or break political parties and manipulate politics of the country has only harmed the country in a worse possible way and I will hold General (R) Mirza Aslam Beg, General ® Hamid Gul, General ® Asad Durrani, General ® Mahmud, Major ® Aamir , Brigadier ® Imtiaz , General ® Javed Nasir etc responsible for playing with the fate and destiny of this country and bringing country to the threshold of dismemberment . These Numskulls I mentioned earlier have no shame to admit on record that they have been in connection with US Central Intelligence in one way or another and in some cases with Mossad as well and then these very gentleman brag that they actually countered the Western Spy apparatus from harming Pakistan as if we are all some fools and cannot read what harm these gentleman have done to the federation by manipulating Pakistani politics via creating Ethnic and Sectarian goons in every province to counter those political parties who represent Federation, does Mehran Bank Scandal ring any bell?

To keep the record straight, the Civil Society, Journalists & Politicians need lots of reading about domestic espionage in the alleged Civilized World e.g read Patriot Act, Church Committee Report, Cointel Pro of FBI and particularly after Wikileaks and latest Edward Snowden leaks and list goes on and on. Why these politicians conveniently forget what they do with their political rivals in Pakistan via these Intelligence Agencies which they later condemn. Journalists should also accept the blame that these very journalists who complain about Intelligence agencies are often found promoting some of the very unsavory characters the names I mentioned above as “Guarding Angel or Knight in shining armour” .

References:


1 - Hamid Gul accepts responsibility for creating IJI http://www.dawn.com/news/760219/hamid-gul-accepts-responsibilty-for-creating-igi OCT 30, 2012

2 - MQM was established to counter Sindhi nationalists: Beg http://archives.dailytimes.com.pk/national/05-Sep-2009/mqm-was-established-to-counter-sindhi-nationalists-beg 05 September 2009

3 - Only bean-spilling spooks can tell why http://www.dawn.com/news/850868/only-bean-spilling-spooks-can-tell-why SEP 01, 2009 by Zaffar Abbas

4 - 13 spymasters gather to stare at each other http://www.dawn.com/news/858125/13-spymasters-gather-to-stare-at-each-other OCT 09, 2009 by Azaz Syed

5 -  "Intelligence agencies are well-equipped to tackle subversive politics" By Aoun Sahi http://jang.com.pk/thenews/aug2009-weekly/nos-02-08-2009/dia.htm#5

6 -  Victimized for loyalty By Hafizur Rahman DAWN - Opinion; April 10, 2002 http://www.dawn.com/news/1062948/dawn-opinion-april-10-2002

7 -  Reforming the Intelligence Agencies in Pakistan’s Transitional Democracy Frédéric Grare http://carnegieendowment.org/files/pakistan_intelligence_transitional_democracy.pdf


9 -  Asghar Khan case verdict: An interesting peek into minds of then military bosses http://www.dawn.com/news/762661/sc-verdict-in-the-asghar-khan-case-an-interesting-peek-into-minds-of-then-military-bosses NOV 09, 2012

10 - Brig Imtiaz's arrest demanded for communist leader's murder http://archives.dailytimes.com.pk/national/31-Aug-2009/brig-imtiaz-s-arrest-demanded-for-communist-leader-s-murder by Amar Guriro - 31 August 2009


12 - Amnesty International Report on Shia Genocide in Pakistan 2002 http://www.scribd.com/doc/178645945/Amnesty-International-Report-on-Shia-Genocide-in-Pakistan-2002

13 - Asghar Khan Case Detailed Judgement (Mehran Bank Scandal) http://www.scribd.com/doc/112690424/Asghar-Khan-Case-Detailed-Judgement-Mehran-Bank-Scandal 

14 - Human Rights Crisis in Karachi (1996 Amnesty International) http://www.scribd.com/doc/258709822/Human-Rights-Crisis-in-Karachi-1996-Amnesty-International






20 - Afaq says he, Altaf got money from Younus http://www.dawn.com/news/704058/afaq-says-he-altaf-got-money-from-younus MAR 19, 2012

21 - Aslam Beg likes to remind visitors that he was one of a group of army officers trained by the C.I.A. in the 1950’s as a “stay-behind organization” that would melt into the population if ever the Soviet Union overran Pakistan. Those brigadiers and lieutenant colonels then trained and directed the Afghan jihadis. In the Land of the Taliban By ELIZABETH RUBIN Published: October 22, 2006 http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/22/magazine/22afghanistan.html?pagewanted=all

22 - CIA trained Pak army officers for Soviet invasion: Gen Beg http://archives.dailytimes.com.pk/national/23-Oct-2006/cia-trained-pak-army-officers-for-soviet-invasion-gen-beg October 23, 2006 by Khalid Hasan

23 - Pakistan got Israeli weapons during Afghan war http://archives.dailytimes.com.pk/main/20-Jul-2003/pakistan-got-israeli-weapons-during-afghan-war July 20, 2003

24 - Charlie Wilson’s war by Masood Haider DAWN - Features; July 23, 2003 http://www.dawn.com/news/1064817


26 - US agency spied on Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King http://www.dawn.com/news/1045922/us-agency-spied-on-muhammad-ali-martin-luther-king SEP 28, 2013 ED PILKINGTON

27 - COINTELPRO is an acronym for the FBI’s Counter Intelligence Program, which was used in the 1960s to monitor, manipulate and disrupt social and political movements in the United States. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Black Panthers, anti-Vietnam War activists, and the American Indian Movement were among the program’s targets. Democracy Now! has extensively covered COINTELPRO and its aftermath, as well as similar tactics still used against today’s generation of political activists. COINTELPRO http://www.democracynow.org/topics/cointelpro



29 - Ex-CIA chiefconfirms Pakistan was bullied http://www.dawn.com/news/244946/ex-cia-chiefconfirms-pakistan-was-bullied ANWAR IQBAL MAY 01, 2007


30 - Zulfikar commission suggested law to legalise IB working http://www.dawn.com/news/707007/zulfikar-commission-suggested-law-to-legalise-ib-working MAR 31, 2012


31 - It`s never a quick fix at the CIA http://www.dawn.com/news/488045/itaes-never-a-quick-fix-at-the-cia SEP 02, 2009


32 - How a jilted Karachi woman saved Pak N-programme by Rauf Klasra Thursday, May 28, 2009 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=22396&Cat=13&dt=5/29/2009


33 - Brig Imtiaz reveals CIA plots by Ansar Abbasi Tuesday, September 01, 2009 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=24241&Cat=13&dt=9/1/2009 


34 - Demand to reopen Abbasi murder case AUG 10, 2009 http://www.dawn.com/news/949184/demand-to-reopen-abbasi-murder-case 


35 - The politics of Brigadier ‘Billa’ BY Tahir Hasan Khan Monday, August 31, 2009 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=195836&Cat=4&dt=8/31/2009