ISLAMABAD: The federal government is seeking funds as 20B rupees needed to regulate social media to boost the nation’s cybersecurity. The plan includes allowing only those social media platforms that set up offices in the country to operate.
Government sources informed that the Ministry of Information Technology has requested 20B rupees needed to regulate social media through the Digital Information Infrastructure Initiative (DIII) in the 2024-25 budget. This request was presented to the finance division for next year’s allocation for current expenditures.
Neither the Ministry of Finance nor the Ministry of Information Technology responded to comments. However, senior officials from both ministries confirmed the 20B rupees needed to regulate social media through the DIII project.
The Ministry of Information Technology received 15 billion rupees this fiscal year through a technical supplementary grant. In February, the Ministry of Finance announced that the Economic Coordination Committee had approved the Ministry of Information Technology’s proposal to allocate 10 billion rupees for the DIII during the current fiscal year.
Sources indicate that the total cost of the DIII project, incorporating Chinese technology, is approximately 135 million dollars or 38 billion rupees. A significant portion is being utilized this year, with the remaining funds requested for the next fiscal year.
The Ministry of Finance stated that the funds aim to provide technical capabilities to identify potential cyber threats to the nation’s critical information infrastructure and prevent cybersecurity breaches.
For the current fiscal year, the Ministry of Information Technology’s regular budget was nearly 10 billion rupees. However, with the supplementary grant, it has received over 150% of its original budget. The 20B rupees needed to regulate social media will ensure that the new technology can prevent misuse and curb malicious campaigns.
The government has already banned X, formerly known as Twitter, in Pakistan. Despite this, the prime minister, federal ministers, ministries, and the general public continue to use the service through proxies. There are concerns that the ban could extend to other social media platforms. The 20B rupees needed to regulate social media will address these issues.
The focus on regulating social media has increased, particularly to curb its use in spreading hatred against individuals, political parties, and state institutions. Sources revealed a plan is being considered to allow only social media platforms with a physical presence in Pakistan, through local offices, to operate in the country. Platforms with representation in Pakistan have been more responsive to government requests compared to those without a significant presence.
New regulations are being fine-tuned to better regulate social media, and legislation may be passed to provide legal backing. The government has proposed amendments to the Pakistan Electronic Crime Act (Peca) 2016 and formed a committee after the federal cabinet did not approve the amendments. This committee will review Peca and seek political consensus on the proposed changes through consultations with all stakeholders.
The committee is led by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and includes Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar, Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Senator Sherry Rehman, Nawabzada Khalid Magsi, and Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan.
These developments occur as the Punjab government faces criticism for passing the controversial “Punjab Defamation Bill-2024” through the provincial assembly. Over 80 civil society organizations and journalists have signed a plea to reject the bill, describing it as a severe infringement on freedom of expression and press freedom. The bill is seen as a draconian tool to suppress dissent and criticism, particularly targeting journalists and the general public.
Critics argue that the bill’s provisions, such as allowing defamation actions without proof of actual damage and imposing hefty fines, amount to legal intimidation. By replacing district courts with tribunals, the bill is seen as enabling undue interference and undermining judicial independence.
