Federal Minister of Information, Atta Tarar, said on Wednesday that changes to the law on the prevention of electronic crimes (PECA) and the creation of a new national agency aim to combat the increase in digital threats – not to remove freedom of expression.
Speaking in Islamabad, Tarar said that legislation is designed to improve responsibility in online space and protect vulnerable communities.
The Minister’s remarks are involved in the midst of growing concerns about freedom of expression in the country. Earlier Friday, an Islamabad court suspended an order which had prohibited 27 YouTube channels exploited by journalists and commentators. The prohibition had been imposed by a lower court as a result of a request from the newly formed National National Inquiry (NCCIA), which accused the chains of propagation of anti-state and defamatory content. This decision was activated under the provisions of the PECA.
“These laws are not supposed to suppress freedom of expression,” he said. “Even the best democracies maintain systems of justice and responsibility.”
He said the legislation aims to make spaces safer online, especially for women and vulnerable communities.
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“The digital space must protect, not in danger, those who are already at risk in society,” he added.
Tarar warned that the abusive use of social media poses one of the most serious challenges in the modern era. Citing a report by the World Economic Forum, he said that the negative use of digital platforms is a global threat.
“False news and propaganda are among the most dangerous problems facing companies today,” he said. “Anyone can easily encourage violence on these platforms.”
He blamed all political parties to have contributed to uncontrolled growth in online disinformation and called for a national effort to promote responsible digital conduct.
The Minister of Information noted the rapid expansion of social media and the transition from traditional printing to electronic and digital platforms, which he said, have evolved with little surveillance.
He urged political leaders to use their platforms to raise awareness of societal issues such as discrimination based on sex and patriarchy. While entertainment and fashion accounts attract millions of followers, he said, social media should also be used for constructive and inclusive dialogue.
“Social media should operate in a new framework to resolve real social problems,” he concluded.
