Social Media platforms can’t be run unregulated in the country, Firdous Ashiq Awan

Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan on Thursday has said that the government can’t let social media platforms run unregulated.

The statement of the special assistant came a day after cabinet decisions to constitute an authority to control digital media companies.

The government’s spokesperson said that the federal cabinet had approved a new set of rules and regulations for social media companies to get registration in Pakistan and open their offices in the country.

She said that the core issue regarding social media websites was that there was no cell in the country for the regulation of these platforms.

“The government did have any other option till now as there wasn’t any authority in the country [to regulate social media],” she said.

Dr. Firdous said that social media companies were providing services in Pakistan from abroad and generating revenue from it, adding that, the companies will have to register in Pakistan and open their offices in the country.

“When these companies come to Pakistan, they will provide employment to the youth,” adding that “laws cannot be made in accordance with the wishes of social media websites”.

“We cannot leave these websites completely unregulated,” she said. “These laws have been made to facilitate social media.”