The Asia Internet Coalition (AIC), an international coalition of leading global Internet companies, has expressed concerns over the approved e-safety authority and data protection bills in Pakistan. The AIC wrote a letter to the Prime Minister of Pakistan expressing concerns about the issues.
In a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the AIC expresses deep concern about the potential implementation of the Personal Data Protection Bill, E-Safety Authority Bill, and upcoming amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight, and Safeguards) Rules (RBUOC).
The coalition is troubled by the lack of transparency in the legislative process and the absence of extensive consultation. This has caused significant legislative uncertainty and eroded investor trust. The rushed nature of these legislations has led international companies to reconsider their willingness to operate in Pakistan.
The AIC supports multi-stakeholder dialogue to shape policies and legislation that foster innovation and technological advancement. However, they believe that the proposed legislation could severely hinder Pakistan’s digital economy growth.
The coalition maintains that the sudden announcement contradicts the government’s claim of being open for business and investment. The AIC warns that Pakistan risks becoming a global outlier. This may lead to depriving its users and businesses of potential growth in the Internet economy.
To make Pakistan an attractive destination for technology investment and achieve digital transformation objectives, the coalition calls for collaboration with the industry. They aim to establish practical and transparent regulations that preserve internet advantages while also considering national interests.
The AIC emphasizes that they are not against regulation. However, it insists on addressing crucial issues, such as internationally recognized rights to privacy and individual expression.
