Shafqat Mahmood says govt will revise social media laws

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood has said that the government will revise notification of the Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules, 2020.

While talking in media, the federal minister said that the bill was not finalized yet, adding that the meetings are being conducted to discuss it further and will amend the issued notification. He added that the decision is being revised.

READ MORE: IHC hears new social media regulations case

Earlier, the federal cabinet endorsed the law, making it obligatory for social media companies to register and open offices in the country.

On Tuesday, the US State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs also termed the social media restrictions as “a setback to freedom of expression & development of the digital economy” in the country.

New restrictions on social media platforms in #Pakistan could be setback to freedom of expression & development of digital econ. Unfortunate if Pakistan discourages foreign investors & stifles domestic innovation in such a dynamic sector. Encourage discussion w/ stakeholders. AGW

— State_SCA (@State_SCA) February 25, 2020

Download MM News mobile application and keep yourself updated.