HRCP warns against ban on all social media platforms in Pakistan

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has voiced its opposition to a proposed Senate resolution that seeks to ban all social media platforms in Pakistan, citing concerns that such measures would violate people’s constitutional right to freedom of expression. The resolution, submitted by Pakistan Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi, calls for a complete ban on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, claiming they are harmful to the youth’s future.

HRCP emphasized that such a resolution is “ill-judged” and represents an erosion of democracy. The organization pointed out the irony of political parties, state institutions, and government representatives continuing to use social media platforms, including X, through virtual private networks (VPNs) despite the shutdown of X since February 17.

HRCP Chairperson Asad Iqbal Butt criticized the resolution, stating that shutting down social media platforms has not made Pakistani society any safer. He urged the Senate to focus on more pressing issues affecting youth, such as unemployment, access to education, and misogyny, rather than acting as a “thought-police.”

The organization called for any regulation of social media to be narrowly tailored, transparently enforced, and designed with civil society consensus. It warned against giving the state unchecked power to regulate social media, as it could lead to censorship of dissenting voices.

HRCP called on civil society and digital rights activists to mobilize against arbitrary restrictions and demanded the immediate restoration of X. The resolution is set to be debated during Monday’s Senate session and aims to shield the younger generation from what it perceives as the negative effects of social media, including the spread of fake news and propaganda.