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Pakistan Press Foundation

Social Media

Facebook, Twitter, Google may suspend services in Pakistan after new social media rules

The Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) which includes global digital media behemoths has denounced the new social media rules introduced by the Pakistan government. The AIC – which consists of Facebook, Google, Apple, Amazon, Twitter and others ­­- has threatened to suspend services in the country if the laws are not revised. In a cutting letter […]


Social media rules against law, Constitution: panel

ISLAMABAD: A Senate panel on Friday said the proposed social media rules are against the Constitution as well as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (Peca) and are prepared without taking input from the relevant parliamentary committee. The Senate Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation made this observation while reviewing the proposed Citizens Protection (Against […]


IT ministry forms panel to review social media rules

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ISLAMABAD: While uproar against the new rules to regulate social media continues from various segments of society, including parliamentarians, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and civil society, the information technology ministry on Friday formed a committee to review the rules. The federal cabinet approved the rules on Feb 11, but later after opposition […]


GNI identifies risks to privacy, freedom of expression in social media rules

Pakistan Press Foundation

KARACHI: Concerned about the broad scope of the Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules 2020, approved by the Pakistan government, the Global Network Initiative (GNI) has identified aspects of the rules that create significant risks to privacy and freedom of expression. The GNI is a multi-stakeholder organisation composed of leading information and communication technology (ICT) […]


Fawad says social media companies must come under tax net

Pakistan Press Foundation

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry while talking about social media regulation said social media websites must come under national tax net as Pakistan has paid hefty amount to foreign companies. Talking to a private news channel he stated that it was not a strange act as rest of the world had […]


Social Media Floods with Celebrations as PAF recalls resounding Victory

Pakistan Press Foundation

Social Media floods with Celebrations as Pakistan Air Force commemorates first anniversary of the Feb 27 ‘Operation Swift Retort’ on Thursday. Social media floods with Celebrations and users are celebrating Pakistan Air Force’s victory with great zeal and fervour. Hashtags like #HappySurpriseDayIndia #WorldsBiggestTeaParty #27FebSurpriseDay popped up and became the top trends in Pakistan. Whether its […]


Social media curbs setback to Pakistan, says Wells

KARACHI: United Sta­tes chief diplomat for South Asian affairs Alice Wells has termed the new restrictions on social media platforms in Pakistan a “setback” for freedom of expression and development of digital economy. In a memo dated Jan 28, the federal cabinet approved the Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules, 2020, that outline extensive guidelines […]


Civil society rejects new social media rules

Pakistan Press Foundation

LAHORE: The civil society, including the representatives of journalists, lawyers and workers unions, has rejected and condemned the new social media rules, demanding the government repeal them immediately and issue a plan of consultation with the people who are the real stakeholders. They said no such measure should be imposed upon the public without consultation. […]


Social media rules: winners and losers

Just over a week ago, the government approved Citizens Protection (Against Online Harassment) Rules 2020, which created much controversy in the tech community and civil society. Many believe that imposing requirements, such as establishing physical offices in Pakistan or hosting in-country servers, on global social media companies is a move in the wrong direction. Provisions […]


Govt remains befuddled over how to deal with online harm

It has been four years since the draconian Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) was passed, but confusion still reigns in the country over how to deal with harmful content on social media. On Feb 15, the Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) — a group of internet companies, including giants such as Facebook, Twitter and Google […]


IHC moved against govt’s social media rules

Pakistan Press Foundation

ISLAMABAD: The rules approved by the federal cabinet to regulate social media were challenged in the Islamabad High Court on Friday. The petitioner, a citizen named Raja Ahsan Masood, has pleaded that the Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules, 2020, should be struck down as they were in violation of the Constitution. “The main objective […]


Speakers vow to protect freedom of expression

Pakistan Press Foundation

LAHORE/ ISLAMABAD: Lawyers, human rights activists, politicians and journalists on Thursday vehemently opposed the government decision to regulate the social media and imposition of self-censorship on the mainstream media, vowing to resist all laws aimed at curbing the freedom of expression under the pretext of national security. Speaking at two different venues, they feared that […]


Digital policy to take ICT industry to $20b: Imran Khan

Pakistan Press Foundation

ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that the government’s digital policy aims at increasing the size of Pakistani Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry to $20 billion in the next few years. Talking to Group Co-Chief Operating Officer of VEON (parent company of Jazz Pakistan) here, the Prime Minister said that “Digital […]


Regulating Social Media — The Dilemma

Pakistan Press Foundation

The power of social media has shown its true colors in the recent decade, not only has it become the most powerful platform for freedom of speech and expression but the reach and impact of the same are unprecedented. However, it goes without saying that although these social media platforms define our information eco-system, yet […]