Interior Minister calls for social media laws review amid X suspension

WEB DESK: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has urged for a comprehensive review of social media laws to curb misuse, as the popular networking platform X, formerly Twitter, remains inaccessible across Pakistan for over a month, stirring concerns among millions of users.

Speaking to journalists in Lahore on Tuesday, Naqvi stressed the necessity for reevaluating existing social media regulations, citing the misuse of the platform.

He stressed that while freedom of expression is a fundamental right, it should not be exploited for propaganda or smear campaigns against individuals or institutions.

Naqvi highlighted the global trend of implementing social media laws and advocated for similar measures in Pakistan, drawing parallels with countries like the United States.

He particularly condemned smear campaigns targeting politicians, the judiciary, and national institutions, calling for their immediate cessation.

The interior minister’s remarks follow Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Atta Tarar’s acknowledgment of the suspension of the X platform in the country.

Tarar clarified that the platform had been banned prior to their government assuming power, although there was no official notification regarding the ban.