The federal government has decided to take down those who spread false information on social media.
As a result of last week’s incident in which PTI supporters heckled Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal at a restaurant on the Islamabad-Lahore Motorway, this decision has been made.
After a video of PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal being heckled at a fast food restaurant went viral and made news last week, his family apologised to him.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah presided over a meeting on Friday, and it was attended by the federal interior secretary, the inspector general of Punjab, the director general of the Federal Investigation Agency, and the acting chairman of the National Disaster Response Authority, Khalid Latif.
It was determined in the meeting to tighten down on people who distribute libellous content on social media and impersonate others, as well as on those who harass residents and upload “immoral movies.”
Blackmail and character assassination were also discussed at length by the government authorities.
Laws that are “effective” in combating cybercrime, particularly the dissemination of offensive materials, were discussed by the attendees.
The subject of harassment and defamation was discussed, and it was resolved to form a working group to alter PECA 2016. When the panel has reached a consensus with all parties involved, they will issue their recommendations.
At the event, Sanaullah stressed that residents’ reputations should not be harmed by false information or character assassination, and he ordered swift and severe punishment for those responsible for cybercrime.
Mahnur is MS(development Studies)Student at NUST University, completed BS Hons in Eng Literature. Content Writer, Policy analyst, Climate Change specialist, Teacher, HR Recruiter.
