Not against social media, ban on X to go once rules are made: Azma

LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has said “we are not against social media, but we are talking about rules and regulations.

“If the rules and regulations are made, the ban on X [social media messaging service] will be lifted.”

Talking to the media outside the Lahore High Court (LHC) building, she said many countries had laws to govern social media. “In every country, laws are made to solve problems and the freedom of expression is [apparently] abused,” she said and regretted that “there are distorted traditions in our society”.

The provincial minister said that social media accounts were regulated all over the world and claimed that ‘digital terrorism’ was carried out through social media accounts. She said all social media accounts must be governed by the rules and regulations.

About the court proceedings on her fake leaked video, Azma said: “Today, I am very happy and satisfied. The LHC chief justice raised very important questions regarding a social media forum, about which the FIA had no answers.”

To a question, the minister said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder was mentally disturbed in jail. “On the one hand, he says that the army should appoint its representative for talks with his party, and on the other hand, he says Mohsin Naqvi is representative of the army but he will not talk to him,” Azma said, adding that no wish of the PTI founder would be fulfilled, as nobody was willing to fulfil his wishes. However, she added, “there is no restriction on day-dreaming.” The minister said the PTI founder should apologise first; he should first of all confess that they staged May 9, and then he should admit that he made a mistake. Azma Bukhari said the free solar system would be provided to those consumers who use 100 to 200 units of electricity monthly. She said solar panels would be given through banks to those who use 200 to 500 units of electricity monthly.

“We are deeply concerned about financial distress and mental discomfort of people,” Azma said adding that Nawaz Sharif got people of Pakistan rid of the IMF in the past.