Bad law

This refers to the editorial, ‘Controversial law’ (April 20). The Electronic Crimes Bill 2015 it seems is aimed at infringing upon the people’s basic right to freedom of speech. Under the law, it will be a crime to blog analysis. People will not be allowed to even make fun of politicians in the form of memes, cartoons, etc.
It seems as though our authorities do not like criticism at all. This is why they do not want us to question their actions. Despite the fact that the bill has numerous loopholes it is strange that it got through the NA standing committee. The only thing it does so far is make people more confused. IT experts say the bill will prove insignificant to curb the surging cyber crime rate in the country. If the right to freedom of speech is trampled with such ease in a democracy, it is better to have dictatorship then. The bill amounts to pigeonholing people’s opinion. And our lawmakers should know that this is against the constitution.
Mohammad Hassam Siddiqi
Karachi