ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is all set to roll out new internet rules that criticssay will give the government wide powers of censorship after rejectingrequests from social media companies for consultation.
The country already has media regulations that adhere to conservativesocial customs. Last month, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)blocked TikTok for failing to filter out “immoral and indecent” content.
The new rules were approved initially by Prime Minister Imran Khan’scabinet in February.
They give the PTA “removal and blocking” powers of digital content that“harms, intimidates or excites disaffection” towards the government orposes a threat to the “integrity, security and defence of Pakistan”.
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A service provider or social media company could face a fine up to 500million rupees ($3.14 million) for non-compliance, which would in turntrigger a mechanism preventing the uploading and live streaming,particularly related to “terrorism, hate speech, pornography, incitement toviolence and detrimental to national security”.
