Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), held a virtualmeeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan to discuss Facebook’s investments inPakistan.
The meeting’s agenda also included the company’s support for digitalliteracy initiatives in Pakistan and its work around COVID-19. The primeminister welcomed Facebook’s investments and programs in Pakistan andencouraged them to increase their footprint.
He recognized the immense potential of digital platforms like Facebook andthe role that they can play in giving global opportunities to Pakistaniyouth and entrepreneurs and how the opportunities they create can liftpeople out of poverty.
However, he also raised concerns around the global rise in hate andextremism and acknowledged the immense challenge of fighting hate speechonline.
The prime minister and Facebook’s COO discussed the company’s connectivityinvestments and research grants that were awarded this year toPakistan-based academics.
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Other topics included Facebook’s blood donations product which has seenmore than 5 million people sign up since it launched in the country, aswell as Facebook’s support for the government’s goal of a polio-freePakistan.
In 2019, Facebook also partnered with the Ministry of InformationTechnology’s Ignite program to support local startups through itsInnovation Lab and Startup Circles program. This partnership continues torun virtual workshops to mentor startups in Pakistan.
