ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi on Thursday said that the elements involved in illegal activity of using social media to incite violence have to face dire consequences.
While addressing a joint press conference with Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Interfaith Harmony Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi here on Thursday, he said the government would not spare the elements involved in illegal activity of misusing social media.
Solangi said that under Article 19 of the Constitution, the freedom of expression was not unlimited, rather it was subject to law of the land.
Under Article 19, derogatory remarks against the judiciary, armed forces, and brotherly countries were not allowed, he remarked.
The information minister said that the companies earning billions of dollars from social media platforms could not abdicate themselves from the responsibility if their platforms were used to disturb law and order in any country and incite people to violence and hatred, he maintained.
He said that social media platforms X ( formerly Twitter), YouTube, Facebook and Instagram had been continuously used for propaganda, lies, defamation of government officials and harassment, and the companies owning these platforms would have to control this illegal activity.
“The state of Pakistan will not in any way allow these platforms to spread baseless, false and fabricated propaganda in the country”, he added.
Solangi said if this baseless propaganda was not stopped by these social media platforms, the state would have to take strict measures under the law.
He said there were means of legal review against any decision of the judiciary and if anyone had a complaint, a review petition could be filed.
The information minister stated categorically that no one would be allowed to take the law into their hands and disturb the peace and tranquility of the country.
“Pakistan is a peaceful country with rule of law and lawlessness and anarchy will not be allowed to be spread in the country,” he added.
Solangi said all foreigners living in Pakistan should feel assured that they were safe and their security would be ensured by the Pakistan government.
“All foreigners living in Pakistan must feel assured that they were safe and nobody would be allowed to hurt them. They should feel safe and secure. The state of Pakistan will guarantee their safety and peace,” he added.
