No attack on social media, only demand checks and balances: Nisar

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar said on Tuesday said that there is no crackdown on social media, adding that the platform needs thorough checks and balances.

The Interior Minister was addressing a press conference at Islamabad where he discussed details of a meeting with all representative bodies of media including APNS, CPNE and PBA.

“Let me assure you with all the force in my command there will be no restriction on the social media but yes there will be red lines in line with the law and constitution of Pakistan,” said Nisar.

He said that the social media has a lot of reach, adding that the platform has no code of conduct and our values are under threat from it.

Nisar said that no restrictions are being placed on social media.

“Strict action would be taken against those who post offensive content even if they belong from the PML-N,” said Nisar.

He said that he had ordered action against those posting insolent things about Pakistan Army, adding that such posts had been appearing since two months.

He said that Pakistan has done a lot against blasphemous content.

Crackdown to continue against anti-military, judiciary posts

Nisar said that those who tweet or post any anti-military/judiciary posts will be caught and questioned.

They are free to bring their lawyers, said Nisar, adding that if they deny then forensics of laptops etc will be done to investigate further.

He said if found guilty, action will be taken against them.

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The interior minister said those who were called to be questioned over suspicious social media activity had not been harshly questioned by the FIA.

The minister said that eight IDs have been identified who have posted such content and six were interviewed while the rest are in the process of being interviewed.

He said that every organisation has SOPs but social media has none. In view of this, regular meetings will be held with media bodies, monitoring would continue and SOPs will be formed accordingly.

“Since army’s tweet and clarification later on, I personally witnessed posts on social media,” said Nisar, adding that he found them disconcerting.

Nisar said about today’s press conference said that it was agreed upon to implement the recommendations of the meeting.

The meeting’s agenda revolved around evolving a consensus policy to safeguard national security interests of Pakistan.

The federal minister said that there was consensus over the recommendations, adding that progress would be made over them soon.

He said that the participants of the meeting agreed over a code of conduct regarding the national security.

On Monday, a high-powered delegation comprising of senior officer bearers of PBA called on Interior Minister.

The delegation was headed by Chairman PBA, Mian Aamer Mehmood and comprised Sultan Lakhani, Mir Ibrahim Rahman, Shakeel Masud Hussain and Tahir A. Khan.

The Minister had said that efforts are underway to ensure that independent media progress and prospers in an open and transparent manner and the government should make every effort to support and facilitate the progress of an independent media that serves as the strength not only of the nation but also of democracy and rule of law in the country.