Govt formalizes working mechanism with Social Media bigwigs

Government of Pakistan has formalized working mechanism with the social networking giants including YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook.

According to the details, this formalization will empower the government to regulate and penalize Youtube, Twitter, and Facebook content if they do not meet the government directives in this regard.

The government will have the power to fine social networking sites up to 500 million rupees if  they do not comply with Pakistan’s Law.

Government officials privy to the development said with this agreement, content that is considered blasphemous or insensitive towards religion can be removed from social media.

The deal was made possible after concerted efforts of the government on the matter to stop illicit and insensitive content aimed at religious figures of Islam and other religions.

It has also been revealed that social media bigwigs are directed to open Pakistan offices soon enough and register themselves with the government.

Digital Pakistan project crucial for the youth: PM Imran

Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed to formulate a comprehensive road-map for development of information technology (IT) sector in the country within a week.

According to the details, the key areas include launch of 5G spectrum, connecting mobile phone towers through fiberization in big cities and defining time-lines of other important matters to remove impediments in promotion of the IT sector.

The Prime Minister chaired an important meeting on promotion of information technology in Islamabad.

Commerce Adviser Abdul Razak Dawood, PM’s Special Assistant Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Co-chairman Prime Minister Task Force for IT and Telecom Dr Ata ur Rehman, and secretaries of information technology, commerce, cabinet and finance divisions attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said the country’s future was linked with the information technology and the government was giving priority to promotion of the sector by providing incentives to the skilled youth.

He said the country’s youth had immense talent and expertise in the IT and the promotion of that sector would create millions of jobs for them.