Interior Minister Calls for Review of Social Media Laws Amid X Disruption
On March 19, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called for a review of social media laws in Pakistan amid the ongoing disruption of the social networking platform ‘X,’ formerly known as Twitter, for more than a month. Naqvi expressed concerns over the misuse of social media and emphasized the need to halt its abuse.
Access to X has been intermittently disrupted since February 17, cutting off citizens’ right to freely access information.
Naqvi emphasized the need to distinguish between freedom of expression and misuse of social media for propaganda and smear campaigns.
“Everyone has the right to freedom of speech; however, it should not be misused,” he stated.
The interior minister specifically called for an end to smear campaigns targeting politicians, the judiciary, and other national institutions. He advocated for the implementation of social media laws in Pakistan, suggesting that the country could follow the models of developed countries such as the United States.
On March 18, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Atta Ullah Tarar said that access to X had been restricted since before the current government took office.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Major General (retd) Hafeezur Rehman in a phone call with Dawn.com, said he would raise the issue of X’s closure with the interior ministry.
“Either the matter should be cleared, or someone should take responsibility for it. The closure of social media forums is always directed by the Interior Ministry,” Rehman said.
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