Social media apps should be banned if not regulated: Azma

Lahore: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said that social media platforms are making money in Pakistan but no one is accountable. If these apps cannot be regulated then they should be closed.

According to the details, the provincial information minister expressed disappointment over dealing with fake content on social media in her case related to the fake video and said that if social media apps cannot be regulated, it is better to shut them down.

She said that social media is being regulated all over the world except Pakistan, but here these apps earn money but are not accountable to anyone.

It is pertinent to note that the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, claimed last week that the ban on social media platform X (Twitter) was imposed 'not to curb freedom of expression but due to national security issues'.

Regarding the ban on X in Pakistan, for the first time in March, the Ministry of Interior officially acknowledged the ban on the platform, telling the Sindh High Court (SHC) that X was blocked until further orders in February based on reports from intelligence agencies.

On February 17, reports of X ban were received from many parts of the country after former Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Chattha pointed out rigging in the 2024 general elections during a press conference.

Last month, the Punjab Information Minister said that the government may consider lifting the ban on X if social media rules and regulations are made.

Azma Bokhari on Monday stressed regulating digital platforms, saying that social media cannot be run without regulation but whenever we talk about regulation of social media, freedom of expression comes up.

The provincial minister stated that despite two months of struggle, I have not got any relief in the 'fake video' case yet.