Warning: A threatening SMS can send you jail

If you threat someone via SMS without taking into account the consequence then it won’t be okay for you as recipient’s complaint can send you behind the bars or cause punishment in accordance with clause 509 of Pakistan Penal Code.

And if any person threats you of serious consequences for harassing or monetary gains, you can lodge his complaint in the local police station instead of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

Barrister Zahid Jamil said this at the press conference held by Pakistan Software Houses Association for IT and ITES (P@SHA). He explained about the protection of individuals by the law in the landscape of electronic communication.

FIA does not have jurisdiction to take action over complaints of individuals who received calls and emails containing threats or related to a criminal act, he said. Similarly the law can also protect you if someone access illegally your Facebook account or use your photos for illegal purpose.

He added that a lot of crime or harassment can be curtailed through a proper legal action if police implement this law properly.

There is an issue of awareness and implementation of the law in our society, particularly the crimes committed online or SMS.

Hoax calls and SMS are crimes If someone deceives you over SMS and gets your money through balance, its complaints can be lodge in the police station and the criminal should be punish as per act.

Barrister Jamil has also said that the crimes are rampant in our society that can be stopped legally by law enforcement agency because it is a basic right of an individual for protection of his life and property.