The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication on Thursday notified the amended social media rules that stakeholders and digital rights activists have strongly criticised.
The rules, titled the “Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguards) Rules, 2021”, have been framed under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016.
The federal cabinet had last month approved amendments to the digital media rules introduced last year.
Key amendments to social media rules
Social media companies will have to register with PTA within three months
Social media outlets will be required to establish an office in Pakistan "as and when feasible" — instead of nine months as required previously
PTA will give 48 hours, instead of 24 hours previously, to a social media company for removing or blocking access to online content
In a statement, IT and Telecom Minister Aminul Haque said under the rules, social media companies would have to abide by Pakistani laws and the rights of social media users.
"Under the amended rules, Pakistani users will have the full right to freedom of expression under Article 19 [of the Constitution]," he said, adding that the rules would play an important role in facilitating contact between Pakistani netizens and social media companies.
He said there would be a ban on the live streaming of extremist, terrorist, hateful, obscene and violent content, and "social media companies will be liable to remove content...
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