Islamabad (May 23, 2017): Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered to restrict social media what he said to stop material against Pakistan Army.
In a press conference Tuesday, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar remained unapologetic regarding a sweeping crackdown against social media users which is being criticised by the opposition as an undemocratic and coercive move to keep critics in check. Instead, the minister said he was stepping up efforts to track internet users’ activities online and hunt down undesirable elements.
“For the last two weeks, posts making a mockery of Pakistan Army have surfaced,” he said in his briefing. “I believe that no Pakistani can have made these remarks against the Army,” he said.
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“Armed forces are rendering huge sacrifices and sacrilege content against it will not be tolerated,” Interior Minister said while addressing press conference in Islamabad.
“Government is not mulling to ban on social media but it should be in line with constitution and law,” he said adding that 27 IDs have been cracked so far which were posting blasphemous contents.
“The people under interrogation are allowed to bring their lawyers along with them during questioning,” the interior minister said.
“Their devices will be checked forensically, and if they have not been wiped clean, the accused will be arrested,” he promised.
Expressing serious concerns over privacy, Ch Nisar also said he wants to clamp down on online anonymity, saying that authorities had proposed that each person’s social media accounts be connected with their cell phone numbers by law.
Underlined the need of SOPs on social media he said “SOPs on social media restriction will be drafted after consulting all stake holders along with political parties,” but the step aimed to save young generation from evil things.
He warned that the forensic test of lap tops of the persons who posted inappropriate content would be conducted.
Lashing out PIT chairman he said Imran should identified if any person links to PML-N posted inappropriate content against forces or judiciary but he could not dictate over freedom of expression.
The interior minister seemed particularly perturbed by the lack of standard operating procedures and rules on social media. In a move bound to raise serious privacy concerns, the interior minister also said he wants to clamp down on online anonymity, saying that authorities had proposed that each person’s social media accounts be connected with their cell phone numbers by law.
Claiming that the Federal Investigation Agency’s crackdown on ‘blasphemous’ posts had resulted in a dramatic drop in offensive material being posted online, Nisar vowed to expand the fight to cover derogatory remarks against the state as well.
“We will move ahead despite the criticism. Those who want to create hindrances in the path of these reforms, keep at it. Do not threaten me. We will ensure the implementation of these changes in line with the law and Constitution,” he said.
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