IHC asks experts to submit report on social media reforms within a month

ISLAMABAD: Appointing experts to review social media reforms, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday sought a detailed report from them within a month.

Hearing a petition, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah appointed Sadaf Baig, Nighat Dad, Fareeha Aziz, Rafi Baloch, PFUJ and Pakistan Bar Council as advisors in the case and asked them to submit their comment on whether the social media rules are in line with international practices.

The IHC chief justice remarked that though the new rules have been notified, it remains to be reviewed whether they are against the Constitution.

During the hearing, the court also questioned PTA’s lawyer regarding Tiktok app and was irked by the authority first placing a ban and later lifting it.

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“Banning the app will not solve the problem,” Chief Justice Athar Minallah said in his remarks.

Additional Attorney General Qasim Wadud presented details of the consultations held with stakeholders over social media rules before the court.

He apprised the court that Prime Minister Imran Khan had constituted an advisory committee comprising Dr Shireen Mazari, Malika Bukhari and others. Wadud said that 19 meetings were held with 30 stakeholders.

“Government also posted social media rules on the website,” Wadud added.

The court adjourned the hearing till January 6.