ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — A resolution advocating for the prohibition of Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, X, and YouTube is set to be deliberated in the Senate, with discussions slated for Monday in the House.
The resolution underscores the necessity to shield the younger demographic from the perceived “negative and devastating effects” of these platforms.
Introduced by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Bahramand Tangi, the resolution contends that social media platforms are exerting adverse influences on the country’s youth.
Citing concerns over the promotion of ideologies contrary to religious and cultural norms, as well as the propagation of hate speech based on linguistic and religious affiliations, the resolution highlights the detrimental impact of these platforms.
Moreover, the resolution underscores the proliferation of misinformation across various issues through these platforms.
This push for a ban on prominent social media platforms coincides with the ongoing accessibility issues with X, formerly known as Twitter, in the country.
While the interim government has maintained silence regarding the unprecedented blockage of the social networking platform, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Asia has urged the caretaker government to ensure unimpeded access to social media platforms.
