Govt not banning social media: Nisar

Says unbridled freedom can’t be allowed; blasphemous content, defamation of armed forces to be stopped

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Tuesday said no restriction would be imposed on social media but at the same time unbridled freedom could not be allowed.

"We all realise the importance of social media. There are rules for every institution, organisation or government, but, unfortunately, no such rules exist for social media," Nisar said while addressing a press conference here.

For the last two weeks, he said, posts against national institutions had surfaced. He said some 27 social media accounts were identified for posting offensive material and six persons were interviewed. He said the persons under interrogation were asked to bring their lawyers along with them during questioning. He said their electronic devices would be checked forensically, and if any evidence was found, the accused would be arrested. "It is not my personal issue, or that of the PML-N, rather it is an issue of the society. Our cultural and religious values are under attack from a section of social media," he said, adding that blasphemous content and defamation of armed forces on the social media will be stopped.

Nisar observed that crackdown by the FIA against blasphemous posts had resulted in a huge decline in offensive material being posted online. He said standard operating procedure (SOPs) for the use of social media would be made and future generations would be protected against the ‘trash’ of social media. He said he had given clear directions that indiscriminate action should be initiated against all those involved even if someone was from the PML-N.

"We want the social media to grow but it must come under some law or code of conduct," he added. He reiterated that the government was not for blocking social media but it was calling for a regulated exercise of freedom of expression. He also hinted towards facilitating service providers in Pakistan to stop the misuse of social media and said that SOPs might be devised for the purpose too.

Nisar said efforts were accelerated to track internet users' activities online and hunt down undesirable elements. The minister also mentioned his detailed meeting with all representative bodies of media including APNS, CPNE and PBA.

He said the meeting agenda revolved around evolving a consensus policy to safeguard national security interests and it was agreed to implement the recommendations of the meeting. He said that the participants of the meeting also agreed over a code of conduct regarding national security and further meetings would be conducted for resolving other important issues.

The minister said that representatives of media bodies agreed to work together and there was no point of difference. To a question about reported suicide by a messenger of Interior Ministry, he said that investigation was underway into the matter. However, he was told that the deceased was in stress for job of his son.

About the criticism of PPP leaders against him, he quoted one of his friends as saying that such criticism enhanced his respect.  He said all the requirements of Interpol would be fulfilled for the issuance of red warrants against those, who were wanted in Pakistan in different cases.