National Cyber Security Council Bill 2014 introduced in Senate by Senator Mushahid Hussain

Islamabad : Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed has presented Pakistan’s first ever bill on Cyber Security in the Senate on Monday, named as Cyber Security Council Bill 2014. The bill, seeking establishment of a ‘National Cyber Security Council, defined its functions and powers as to develop and draft policy, guidelines and governance models related to ever emerging Cyber Security threat, which the Senator termed as one of the major non-traditional non-military threats the country is facing and addressed the strong need to monitor legislation and provide advice and recommendations as per international best practices. “Given the clear and present danger of threat to Pakistan’s national security related to Cyber Warfare, as demonstrated by revelations of intrusion into privacy and spying by overseas intelligence networks, and given the context that cyber warfare is currently being weighed actively in the region where Pakistan is located, it is imperative that Pakistan take institutional steps to combat this threat.” Senator Mushahid expressed its objectives. The Council, according to the bill, shall have the function of and powers to devise strategic plans as well. The bill emphasized to facilitate communications between the Government and private sector entities, Academia, Civil Society, Cyber Security experts and also develop a ten year and twenty year vision. Senator Mushahid, during the Senate session, also presented recent report of Senate Defence Committee and informed different initiatives taken; such as: Policy Seminar on Cyber Security, establishment of Cyber Security Task Force and publication of a manual for journalists for awareness.