ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Wednesday directed Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to formulate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for putting in place a framework which ensures that social media is used as a medium to facilitate positive, constructive and healthy interactions.
Chairing a high level meeting here, he further directed that initial draft of SOPs should be prepared in a week’s time for further consideration.
The meeting was attended by secretary interior, chairman PTA, advocate general, chairman National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad, senior officials of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the ministry.
The interior minister also directed chairmen NADRA and PTA to review relevant laws and regulatory frameworks of neighboring democratic countries and that of the developed nations for devising a system that ensures freedom of expression while simultaneously checking unbridled misuse of social media.
The PTA was directed to consult all stakeholders including service-providers, civil society, mainstream media and others, for setting guidelines, duly supported by the legal framework, to regulate use of social media for constructive purposes and nation-building process.
The minister asked Speaker National Assembly to convene a meeting of representatives of all political parties for evolving consensus for putting in place a framework to ensure that social media platforms are used in a positive manner.
Nisar asked Foreign Office to get in touch with Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) Secretary General for convening a meeting at OIC level on issue of blasphemous content on social media as per commitment given to him by the secretary general during his last visit to Pakistan. Pakistan is willing to play host of OIC conference.
The interior minister said that being a democratic government it is our obligation to ensure and protect right of every citizen for freedom of expression but “We are equally bound by law and constitution of the country to protect our citizens and institutions from assault which is carried out through social media under garb of freedom of expression.”
Chaudhry Nisar observed no conscientious person could be a silent spectator to threat which is posed to our socio-cultural values institutions, our younger generations and sometime is propagated by a section of social media.
The minister said that right to free speech is stitched to sense of responsibility and ownership. Ghost users through their fake IDs feel no qualms in misusing their right of expression and thus infringing rights of others who are deeply affected by their imprudent actions.
Over issue of registration of International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) under new policy framework formulated by interior ministry, he directed the ministry to finalize process of making decision on pending application within one month.
The minister also directed for setting up a Wing in interior ministry with help of NADRA for facilitation of registered INGOs.
