Pakistan’s National Assembly (NA) has approved a draconian cybercrime bill named “Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill 2015” that will make it illegal for anybody to criticize the government on social media. The controversial bill punishes those “sending text messages without notifying the receiver” or “criticizing government actions on social media.” The proposed bill would criminalize internet activity, stifle its growth and damage the economy while inducing an atmosphere of fear. Adios internet. Hello intranet. Sputnik reports: The restrictive bill has been criticized by the IT industry and civil society for violating human rights and harming business in the future. According to critics, it contains several deeply problematic clauses that are open to misinterpretation. The document criminalizes activities such as sending text messages without the receiver’s agreement or speaking out against the government’s actions or religion on social media. For these actions people would be fined and jailed. Online criticism of the country, its courts and the armed forces are among subjects which could call on official interference under the bill. The most extraordinary features of the bill are: up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine of 10 mln Pakistani rupees (PKR) ($95,000), or both, for hate speech, or trying to create [...]