KARACHI:
Although the decision to restore TikTok has sparked joy for the TikTok community, it has synonymously indicated the sluggishness of the PTI government in promoting the slogans of Digital Pakistan. Such bans will not only create doubts for IT professionals eager to invest in Pakistan’s untapped internet market potential, but also prevent TikTokers from expressing their opinion freely owing to government regulations. The PTA has given green signal to Pakistan’s third most popular application on the condition that the community will not spread vulgarity and indecent content.
Instead of pursing such policies, the PTA can work in collaboration with the TikTok community in order to raise awareness on important issue such as taking measures for a second wave of Covid-19, debunking Indian conspiracies, and promoting the element of national integrity. Instead of banning online platforms, the PTA and concerned authorities need to work in tandem with online content makers in order to promote a peaceful and positive image of Pakistan, locally and internationally. Only by showing peace can the new generation bring about the necessary societal changes needed to uphold basic human rights.
Mehtab Hussain
Naushahro Feroze
Published in The Express Tribune, October 27th, 2020.
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