ISLAMABAD (PEN) : The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has come forward to defend the federal government’s recent decision to introduce an internet firewall, emphasizing the need for regulating social media in the face of technical limitations and resource constraints faced by state institutions.
PML-N Senator Talal Chaudhry sought to clarify the party’s stance. “There’s a difference between censorship and regulating [social media],” he explained. His comments come at a time when internet users across Pakistan have been experiencing slow speeds and restricted access to social media platforms due to the trial phase of the new internet firewall being tested by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s administration.
An official disclosed that the work on the firewall has been ongoing since January, involving the purchase, installation, and commissioning of the system. Although some concerns have been raised about the potential impact on internet-based businesses, the official clarified that these businesses are not the primary target. Instead, the firewall aims to curb the influence of social media personalities believed to be spreading misinformation by blocking or reducing the visibility of their content.
This move has sparked a debate, with many netizens expressing their frustrations. However, Senator Talal Chaudhry defended the government’s decision, emphasizing that the PML-N has consistently upheld the principle of freedom of expression and has never supported censorship. He acknowledged the integral role social media plays in daily life, including in areas like banking, while also highlighting its misuse for fraud, defamation, blackmailing, and spreading anti-Pakistan narratives.
When questioned about the necessity of a new monitoring mechanism given the existing laws, Chaudhry admitted that although relevant laws are in place, investigative agencies and authorities lack the technical support and resources needed for effective implementation. “No need to take things negatively,” he urged, stressing the government’s responsibility to provide technical support and enhance the capacity of institutions to address the misuse of social media and the internet.
Addressing concerns about the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) of 2016 and Punjab’s Defamation Bill 2024, Chaudhry reiterated the government’s openness to dialogue. He assured that the government is willing to work with all stakeholders to improve these laws, aiming to strike a balance between regulation and freedom of expression.
