ISLAMABAD: Pakistan government has decided to introduce a ‘Digital Rights Protection Bill’ aimed at safeguarding the rights of women, children, and minorities while countering extremist ideologies and terrorism through social media platforms.
According to media reports, the legislation aims to establish a conducive and digitally inclusive ecosystem to enable effective operations of social media companies.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the Ministry of Information Technology to lead the implementation of these initiatives, addressing various challenges faced by social media companies in the country.
The proposed bill seeks to facilitate investments by international social media companies in Pakistan and underscores the importance of essential regulatory frameworks to streamline their operations. By creating a favorable investment climate, Pakistan aims to attract increased capital inflows from such companies.
Moreover, the legislation will contribute to combating harassment, cyberbullying, dark web activities, and crimes against women on digital platforms. It will also play a crucial role in curbing the spread of offensive religious content through social media channels.
Ensuring the protection and well-being of children and minority communities will be key priorities of the legislation, aiming to remove inappropriate content related to minors and safeguard their rights in cyberspace.
The Ministry of Information Technology has initiated the formulation of recommendations and policies with the assistance of experts in the field.
