AJK Govt Revises Law to Combat Hateful and Sectarian Online Content. The updated legislation now classifies these actions as criminal offenses, with offenders facing severe penalties of up to 14 years in prison and fines of up to Rs50 million.
According to a report, the Ministry of Law and Justice of AJK has issued an advisory detailing the amendments to the criminal law, which now includes cyber-crimes under the Penal Code. The advisory highlights the government’s strong commitment to tackling online activities that incite hatred and sectarianism.
The revised law specifically targets the publication of sectarian, hateful, and illegal content on social media platforms. Those found guilty will be prosecuted under Sections 489 and 189 of the Penal Code.
The Ministry further clarified that penalties will range from three months to 14 years of imprisonment, along with fines ranging from Rs50,000 to Rs5 million, depending on the severity of the offense.
This firm stance by the AJK government underscores the serious threat that online hate speech poses to communal harmony and societal well-being.
