As stated, the federal government has sent the Cybercrime Amendment Bill for consideration to pretty much all relevant ministries before it can be signed off for approval by the federal cabinet.
In consultations with all the respective stakeholders, including the Ministry of IT and Information Broadcasting, sources said that feedback would be compiled before the draft would be placed before the federal cabinet. The letter will then be referred for further discussion in parliament after approval by the cabinet.
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The proposed legislation imposes severe penalties against anyone found guilty of disseminating false news, with penalties ranging from five years of imprisonment to one million rupees fine. The draft will then be finalized based on feedback from stakeholders. More adjustments to the draft bill are reported to be very likely, depending on stakeholder input.
The first draft amendment was drafted jointly by the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Law. This, the government says, would help in curbing the rapidly increasing menace of fake news.