In a bid to minimise cyber security threats to internet users, the government is framing a comprehensive cyber crime legislation, which is in final stages of enactment, said Anusha Rehman State Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication.
The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill comprehensively addresses some of the most pressing issues related to cyber security, and it is confidence of the end users which will make "internet governance" structure more effective, said the minister while addressing a workshop on the theme: "Internet governance and roles of its stakeholders," organised by the IT Ministry.
The purpose of the workshop was to have an integrated gathering of the stakeholders of "internet ecosystem" for the delivery of more convenient, citizen centric and cost-effective public services and sharing information to strengthen relations with citizens, businesses, and other arms of government through secure and stable internet.
Internet governance is one of the most heavily debated phenomenon globally which deals with the development and application of standards, shared principles, guidelines, decision-making procedures and programmes that shape the evolution and use of the medium of internet.
Experts from ICANN, ISOC, APNIC, CEOs & CIOs of ISPs, IT & telecom companies, academia, scholars, and officials of government organisations, civil society and other dignitaries participated in the workshop. The workshop was divided into three sessions; (i) ICANN, domain name system and internet operations & governance, (ii) Updates and new developments (iii) role of internet organisations in the internet ecosystem. The representatives of Internet governing bodies enlightened the audience on latest developments in the internet ecosystem and advancements in "internet governance."
Anusha said the government is giving high priority to information and communications technologies (ICT) sector, particularly "Internet Governance system in the country". Internet is playing an important role in the business growth and good governance which leads to better performance of the public and private sectors.
Pakistan joined hands with ICANN to streamline its policies and action plans regarding Internet and its usage, in accordance with the guidelines provided by ICANN. Pakistan became an active member of Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) to take part in the legislative process of ICANN and to get benefit from the guiding principles to be in line with the progress being made in this sphere. The government of Pakistan has applied to ICANN for the IDN ccTLD Dot Pakistan registry in Urdu and has initiated the process.
Anusha Rahman further commended the role of ISOC in the promotion of the open development, evolution, and use of the internet for the benefit of people around the globe and added that we would like to participate and benefit from its facilities for open development of standards, protocols, administration, and the technical infrastructure for the internet, community development, education and providing reliable information to the people of Pakistan.
She emphasised on the cyber security issue and urged ICANN, APNIC, ISOC, relevant regional and international internet bodies, and other stakeholders in private sector to play their role in trust building of the Internet users on "internet governance". The users must have confidence that they are transacting in a digital environment which is free of spoofing, phishing, eavesdropping.
Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning Development & Reforms said that the "internet ecosystem" means involvement of a broad range of actors; open, transparent, and collaborative processes; and the use of products and infrastructure with dispersed ownership and control.
This workshop provides great opportunity of mutual learning and sharing views with experts and stakeholders from a variety of fields involved in "internet ecosystem". He said ICANN, APNIC, and ISOC have a critical role in the development of this system. He added that the present leadership of Pakistan believes that the sustainable socio-economic development of Pakistan is linked to an information based society, and knowledge based economy through a holistic digital ecosystem.
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