The government has issued gazette of the Cyber Security Ordinance, 2025, to identify, prevent, suppress, and subsequently to try the crimes committed in cyberspace for ensuring cyber security.
Confirming the matter to BSS, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry spokesperson Dr Md Rezaul Karim said the gazette was issued on May 21, and the ordinance will come into effect immediately.
Earlier on May 6, Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said the ordinance will be announced within the week after vetting by the ministry of law affairs.
The 32-page gazette said the president is formulating and issuing the ordinance as provisions regarding civil protection were inadequate in the Cyber Security Act, 2023, and these pave the way for abuse and oppression and as this act undermines different fundamental rights, including the freedom of expression.
With the announcement of the ordinance, the previous Cyber Security Act is cancelled.
The law adviser earlier said in the ordinance, internet access has been recognised as a civic right for the first time, adding that online gambling has been banned, and repression and sexual harassment of children and women in cyberspace have been recognised as punishable offences.
“Releasing contents on repression and sexual harassment of women and children and spreading religious hatred, which exaggerates violence, have been identified as punishable offences under the ordinance.
Committing crimes using artificial intelligence has been recognised as an offence for the first time in South Asia,” Dr Asif Nazrul told a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy here after a meeting of the council of advisers.
