Cyber harassment, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and online extortion represent severe criminal offences under Section 21 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016.
Section 21 penalizes transmitting, displaying, or distributing explicit images or videos of a natural person without consent, carrying up to 5 years imprisonment and fine. Where the victim is a minor, penalties increase up to 7 years.
Victims of online blackmail or cyber stalking require immediate, discrete legal assistance to: (1) Preserve digital evidence via certified screenshots and URL archives; (2) File an emergency complaint with the FIA Cyber Crime Wing; and (3) Issue formal requests for social media content removal.
The FIA Cyber Crime Wing possesses statutory authority to direct Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and social media platforms (Meta, Google, TikTok) to block and remove infringing content within 24 hours.
Naich Law Firm handles sensitive cyber harassment cases with strict confidentiality. We coordinate emergency FIA arrests, obtain court content removal orders, and prosecute cyber blackmailers.
Practical Key Takeaways for Litigants & Clients
- Section 21 PECA carries up to 5 years imprisonment for non-consensual image dissemination.
- Digital URL archiving and hash preservation are essential for court prosecution.
- PTA and FIA possess statutory powers to block explicit online content within 24 hours.
- Strict confidentiality safeguards victim identities during court proceedings.
- Immediate legal intervention stops blackmailers from further digital dissemination.