ISLAMABAD
The Senate was informed on Friday that the government is working on a legislation to compel the social media platforms register themselves in Pakistan. Minister of State for Law Shahadat Awan told the House during Question Hour that Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has also taken action against undesirable content on social media. He said the authority has blocked 47,674 URLs over hate speech.
Replying to various supplementary questions during Question Hour, the minister said the Prime Minister constituted a National Social Working Committee in August last year to suggest proper legislation in this regard.
He said Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has processed 59253 URLs related to Sectarian/ Hate Speech complaints on social media so far. Out of the total complaints 47,674 URLs have been blocked over hate speech till February. He said the PTA had also blocked the Wikipedia site on the directives of the High Court for 48 hours.
The minister said under section 37 (1) of the PECA Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (“PECA”), the Authority has been empowered to remove or block or issue directions for removal or blocking of access to information through any information system if it considers it necessary in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of
Pakistan or any part thereof, public order, decency or morality, or about contempt of court or commission of or incitement to an offence under PECA. Under section 37 (2) of PECA, the federal Government has approved the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguard), Rules, 2021 (“Rules”), he added.
In her remarks, Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman told the House that recommendations will be finalized in consultation with the provincial governments for a long term strategy to meet the challenges of global warming and Green House Gas Emissions.
She said a project is being implemented to build capacity of local farmers to enhance the water efficiency in the agriculture sector. She said directives have been issued to the chief secretaries to effectively cope with heat waves this year. Later, the House was adjourned to meet again on Monday at eleven am.
