CYBERBULLYING IN PAKISTAN, CASES,

MONITORING AND SOLUTION

CYBERBULLYING IN PAKISTAN:
Bullying is used to humiliate, threaten, oppress, torment, and tyrannize someone. It can be defined
as a continuous abuse of power or authority against an individual or a group in a given social
setting with the intention to causes physical, emotional and/or social harm. If behavior similar in
nature takes place online, it is called cyber bullying.

According to various statistics, cyber bullying is among the most critical issues that have a direct
bearing on young people around the globe. According to a study that included 25 countries, it was
found that despite not being on top of the ladder Pakistan still has a twenty second highest rate in
cyber bullying. However, children in Pakistan do have a basic understanding about cyber-bullying
and know what it means and how they might be subject to it. 6 in every 10 children were of the
opinion that they knew at least something about cyber bullying.
Cyber-bullying can come in the form of sending text messages, e-mails, using the social media
platforms to share someone’s confidential information, by accessing their profiles without their
knowledge (hacking), sharing photos or videos of the victims without their consent etc.
“Cyber bullying is a curse which has taken deep roots in our society. In some cases, it is not
even considered an offense rendering bullying tactics go on incessantly. The digital
environment has become so much insecure that sometime those being bullied either
deactivate their accounts or in extreme cases commit suicide.”
CASES OF CYBER BULLYING IN PAKISTAN:
DRF REPORT ON CYBER-BULLYING CASES IN PAKISTAN:
Digital harassment and cyber-bullying are increasing in Pakistan, a new report by the Digital
Rights Foundation (DRF) said. DRF’s cyber harassment helpline reported 2,023 cases or 146 calls
every month during 2019, accounting for 45 per cent of the overall complaints received in the last
three years. “This is an alarming increase in the number of cases over time and a disturbing upward
trend in cyber-harassment,” DRF said in a statement. At least “57 per cent of the complaints are
from women” who registered personal complaints, followed by 30 per cent men who had called
the helpline, the report stated. Most of the cases reported were from Punjab (57 per cent), followed
by Sindh (15 per cent). Majority of the callers were aged between 21 and 25 years, while the most
vulnerable group comprised “young women”. The data also reveals that 41.3% of the cases
received by the authority were from Punjab and that 23.9% of the individuals did not disclose their
location. Here is the data concerning the percentage of complaints received via their anti-
harassment hotline from other provinces:
 Sindh – 17.8%
 Federal Territory – 10.1%
 Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa – 4.7%
 Balochistan – 1.3%
 Azad-Kashmir – 0.7%
 Outside the country – 0.2%
The report noted that social media platforms were becoming ground for online harassment. “The
most number of complaints related to cyber-bullying were reported on WhatsApp (855), while 29
per cent of callers reported harassment on Facebook.” Although the report is based on 2019 data,
Nighat Dad, the executive director of DRF, a research and advocacy NGO, said the organization
witnessed an exponential increase in the number of cases since the coronavirus pandemic and the
consequent lockdown this year. “In the months of March and April, we saw an increase of 189 per
cent as compared to January and February,” she said.

FOUNDATION AND HELPLINE TO REPORT CYBER BULLYING IN

PAKISTAN:
DIGITAL RIGHTS FOUNDATION:
The Digital Rights Foundation (DRF), a registered research-based advocacy non-governmental
organization, was founded by Nighat Dad in 2012. The focus of the organization is to support
human rights, inclusiveness, democratic processes and digital governance. It also focuses on issues
related to online free speech, privacy, data protection and cybercrime against women.
CYBER HARASSMENT HELPLINE:
Pakistan’s first dedicated cyber harassment helpline is a nationwide initiative to provide legal,
digital and psychological support to those facing threats online. Online harassment may include
threats, cyber-stalking, hacking, revenge porn, trolling, hate crime and online impersonation.
Cyber Harassment Helpline was launched on 1st December of last year. People seeking help can
call at 0800-39393 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. To contact them via email, you can drop
them a message at helpdesk@digitalrightsfoundation.pk.

REAL LIFE INCIDENTS HAPPEN DUE TO CYBERBULLYING IN

PAKISTAN:
NAILA RIND SUICIDE:
Naila Rind was a student of University of Sindh in Jamshoro, who allegedly killed herself in her
hostel. A top student in her Masters class, Naila, was found hanging from a ceiling fan inside room
no. 36 in Marvi hostel. According to the initial investigation and First Information Report (FIR)
copy, it turns out Naila was cyber blackmailed by a man named Anis Khaskheli. Police officials
say this lecturer in a private school at Jamshoro, was blackmailing Naila with her pictures and
videos for three months. After the blackmailing became too much for her, Naila took her life.
CYBERBULLYING AMONG CHILDRENS:
Microsoft recently commissioned a study to understand the global pervasiveness of online
bullying. Cyberbullying, as a term, is not recognized worldwide. To address this, the study
explored the issue by asking children about negative experiences they’ve had online from their
point of view (i.e., being called mean names, being teased, etc.). While such experiences may not
be viewed as bullying by all who experience it, these behaviors may be considered by some as
having potentially adverse effects. According to the survey:

According to the youth surveyed:

 Girls and boys experience similar rates of online bullying (30% vs. 24%) although girls
are more likely to be bullied offline (62% vs. 47%)
 Boys report knowing more (65% vs. 54%) about online bullying but have the same level
of concern about it as girls (22% vs.18%)
 Boys are more likely to bullied others offline (38% vs. 14%)
 Children 13-17 have more knowledge of (74% vs. 37%) and worry more about online
bullying (24% vs.15%)
PAKISTAN COMPARED TO REST OF WORLD:
Pakistan has the twenty-second highest rate of online bullying among the twenty-five countries
surveyed. Six in ten children know a lot or something about online bullying. Online and offline
bullying are below the worldwide averages with the exception of those that report bullying
someone else online (38% vs. 24%). This may explain why only 21% are very or somewhat
worried about online bullying which is far below the worldwide average. Parents are less likely to
take steps to protect their children from online bullying (1.0 vs. 3.3). The presence of formal school
policies and education is significantly below the worldwide average perhaps because online
bullying is not seen as a pressing problem.

LAWS AND PUNISHMENTS OF CYBER BULLYING IN PAKISTAN:

Pakistan is in the list of the fastest growing internet-using countries and hence, the need to take
measures against cyber-bullying becomes even more important. Yet the existing laws and
particularly, the implementation of them is far from what is required. As compared to actual
physical encounters, Pakistanis are more vulnerable to bullying online. Violation of cyber-crime
laws in Pakistan can result in the following punishments:
 Up to three years imprisonment, Rs1 million fine or both for unauthorized access to critical
infrastructure information system or data.
 Up to seven years imprisonment, Rs10 million fine or both for interference with critical
infrastructure information system or data with dishonest intention.
 Up to seven years imprisonment, Rs10 million fine or both for glorification of an offence
relating to terrorism, any person convicted of a crime relating to terrorism or proscribed
individuals or groups. Glorification is explained as “depiction of any form of praise or
celebration in a desirable manner”
 Up to six months imprisonment, Rs50 thousand or both for producing, making, generating,
adapting, exporting, supplying, offering to supply or importing a device for use in an
offence.
 Up to three years imprisonment, Rs5 million fine or both for obtaining, selling, possessing,
transmitting or using another person’s identity information without authorization.
It is high time that Pakistani citizens, especially youth, understand that the laws provide them the
security to complain to the authorities concerned in case personal identity information is used
without authorization. Citizens in such a case are also eligible to request for measures that secure,
destroy or prevent transmission of confidential information. For the majority of the people living
in the country to have a basic understanding of the rights that the laws provide is most definitely
the first step towards curbing cyber bullying. Therefore, the government should introduce policies
and media campaigns that can help in raising awareness on the topic.

WAYS TO REPORT AGAINST CYBERBULLYING IN PAKISTAN:

 REGISTER A COMPLAINT THROUGH FIA:
Complaints can be registered by the victim or by a third party. National Response Centre for Cyber
Crime (NR3C) by FIA has an online complaints registration form which should be filled out with
as many details as possible. Complaints can also be registered at FIA’s cyber crime wings situated
in 15 localities including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Gwadar, Abbottabad,
Gujranwala, and Dera Ismail Khan. FIA also has a 24/7 cyber crime helpline, 9911. The Hamara
Internet app by Digital Rights Foundation can also be used to file a complaint about online
harassment.
 LODGE A REPORT VIA IC3:
The IC3 accepts online Internet crime complaints from either the actual victim or from a third
party to the complainant.
 CPLC TO THE RESCUE:
The Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) has set up a women complaint cell aimed at
dealing with women harassment issues across the country. Complaints can be made on these
numbers: 021-35662222, 021-35682222.

 MADADGAAR NATIONAL HELPLINE:

From counselling to legal advice to rehabilitation and reintegration, Madadgaar National Helpline
was established by LHRLA in 2001 to help women and children overcome abuse. Supported by
SDC, UNICEF, and Plan International Pakistan, Madadgaar National Helpline has received over
90 thousand crisis calls and walk-in cases of people in distress.

WAYS TO PREVENT FROM CYBER BULLYING:

Sergeant Rich's ten tips for teens to prevent cyberbullying:
 Educate yourself: To prevent cyberbullying from occurring we must understand exactly
what it is. Research what constitutes cyberbullying, how and where it occurs, and talk with
friends about what they are seeing and experiencing.
 Protect your password: Safeguard your password and all private information from
inquisitive peers. You don't want to give bullies the opportunity to post
 false/private/embarrassing information or pictures on your social media pages or send them
to the whole school through email.
 Keep photos PG: Before sending a racy photo of yourself to a peer or posting it online,
consider if this is something you would want others to see, especially your family. Bullies
can use this picture as ammunition to make your life miserable.
 Pause before you post: Don't post anything that can compromise your reputation. People
will judge you based on how you appear to them online, and like point #3, bullies can use
it as fuel.
 Raise awareness: Bring awareness to cyberbullying whether it be through a movement, a
club an event or campaign. Knowledge is power.
 Set up privacy controls: Restrict who can see your online profiles to only trusted friends.
 "Google" yourself: Every once in a while search our name on all major search engines
and see if any personal information or photos come up. If you find something that can be
used by cyberbullies to target you, take action and have it removed.
 Never open messages from people you don't know: Delete all messages without reading
them from people you don't know, as they could contain viruses and infect your computer.
The same goes for messages from known bullies. It is best to not engage and ignore them.
 Don't be a cyberbully: Remember the phrase your parents instilled in you as a kid "treat
other as you want to be treated". If you are mean to others online, it reinforces the idea that
that kind of behavior is acceptable.
 Log out of your accounts on public computers: Similar to not sharing your passwords,
don't give anyone the slightest chance to pose as you or to share false information. Also,
by staying logged in, you run the risk of the bully changing your password and locking you
out for a period of time.