ISLAMABAD – Government of Pakistan has formalized working mechanism withthe social networking giants including YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook.
According to the details, this formalization will empower the government toregulate and penalize Youtube, Twitter, and Facebook content if they do notmeet the government directives in this regard.
The government will have the power to fine social networking sites up to500 million rupees if they do not comply with Pakistan’s Law.
Government officials privy to the development said with this agreement,content that is considered blasphemous or insensitive towards religion canbe removed from social media.
The deal was made possible after concerted efforts of the government on thematter to stop illicit and insensitive content aimed at religious figuresof Islam and other religions.
It has also been revealed that social media bigwigs are directed to openPakistan offices soon enough and register themselves with the government.
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed to formulate acomprehensive road-map for development of information technology (IT)sector in the country within a week.
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According to the details, the key areas include launch of 5G spectrum,connecting mobile phone towers through fiberization in big cities anddefining time-lines of other important matters to remove impediments inpromotion of the IT sector.
The Prime Minister chaired an important meeting on promotion of informationtechnology in Islamabad.
Commerce Adviser Abdul Razak Dawood, PM’s Special Assistant Dr FirdousAshiq Awan, Co-chairman Prime Minister Task Force for IT and Telecom Dr Ataur Rehman, and secretaries of information technology, commerce, cabinet andfinance divisions attended the meeting.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said the country’s future was linked with theinformation technology and the government was giving priority to promotionof the sector by providing incentives to the skilled youth.
He said the country’s youth had immense talent and expertise in the IT andthe promotion of that sector would create millions of jobs for them.
