ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Interior Tuesday directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to take action against those who exploit social media for wrong propaganda, mislead nation and use abusive language against the opponents.
Chairing a meeting here, Senator Rehman Malik said that social media has become a necessity of time and has gained importance worldwide.
The meeting was also attended by Senators including Attique Sheikh, Talha Mahmood and Kulsoom Parveen, and officials of Ministry of Interior and FIA.
The meeting was briefed on measures against spreading objectionable content on social media.
Rehman Malik said, “We are not in favour of restricting any media including social media and will not let anyone do so. Our reservations are on the wrong usage of social media.”
No one should be allowed to insult someone, he said and added that constitution and law of land allow freedom of expression.
Rehman Malik asked the nation, particularly the youth to positively use social media.
The committee observed that character assassination of Senator Talha Mahmood on social media has badly affected his reputation. The campaign against the Senator Talha was totally wrong and those responsible for this negative activity should be taken to task.
The committee acknowledged Senator Talha Mahmood and his social welfare activities.
The committee emphasised that negative campaign against any personality or the country should be reported to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
The committee further directed that social media needs to be regulated under the law.
Moreover, the committee was informed that political personalities like Shehla Raza and Aisha Gulalai were defamed through fake social media accounts.
At the outset, the committee condemned recent incidents of terrorism in the country and prayed for those who got martyred, including the leader of Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf (PTI) Ikramullah Gandapur, the worker of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Yasir Kalhoro and others.
Rehman Malik asked Ministry of Interior to submit a report of both the incidents to the committee.
The committee prayed for a peaceful election on July 25 so that people could decide their better future.