Govt won’t let social media become ‘propaganda’ tools

Minister says action to be taken against such platforms under law

ISLAMABAD:

Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi on Thursday said that some elements were using social media platforms to incite violence, which was an illegal activity.

Addressing a news conference along with Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Interfaith Harmony Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, he said the government would take strict action against such illegal activities under the law.

He said that freedom of expression under Article 19 of the Constitution was not unlimited, rather it was subject to law of the land. Under Article 19, derogatory remarks against judiciary, armed forces and brotherly countries were not allowed, Solangi remarked.

He said that the companies earning billions of dollars from the social media platforms cannot shirk responsibility for disruptions in law and order incited through their platforms.

The minister said that social media giants ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Facebook and Instagram had been continuously used for propaganda, lies, defamation of government officials and harassment, and the companies owning these platforms would have to control this illegal activity.

“The state of Pakistan will not in any way allow these platforms to spread baseless, false and fabricated propaganda in the country,” he added.

The minister said if this baseless propaganda was not stopped by these social media platforms, the state would have to take strict measures under the law.

He said there were means of legal review against any decision of the judiciary and if anyone had a complaint, a review petition could be filed.

The minister stated categorically that no one would be allowed to take the law into their hands and disturb the peace and tranquility of the country. “Pakistan is a peaceful country with rule of law and lawlessness and anarchy will not be allowed to be spread in the country,” he added.

He said all foreigners living in Pakistan should feel assured that they were safe and their security would be ensured by the Pakistan government.

Earlier, chairing the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar said the caretaker setup in a short span of time had left behind a useful strategy for the upcoming elected government that would ensure public welfare and protect national interests.

"The caretaker government always gave priority to national interests while taking policy decisions as it believed to work together for national stability and development," the prime minister said.

He said the government had improved the national economy, adding "we are leaving country's economy in a better condition than before". He appreciated and thanked his cabinet members and civil servants for their tireless efforts during short tenure of the government.

Among other agenda items, the cabinet, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, allowed Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir NI (M) to receive the "Turkish Armed Forces Legion of Merit" awarded by Turkiye in honor of his services regarding cooperation between the armed forces of Pakistan and Turkiye.

On the recommendation of ministry of finance, the cabinet also approved the extension of deputation period of Lubna Farooq Malik as Director General Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) from June 9, 2023 to June 8, 2024.

The cabinet, on the recommendation of ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R), approved the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MNFS&R Pakistan and Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agriculture Innovation.

The cabinet also approved the decisions made in the meeting of the Cabinet Committee for State Owned Enterprises held on February 16, 2024. The Federal Cabinet ratified the decisions taken in the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases held on February 16, 2024.