ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday warned that the government will launch a “massive-scale crackdown” against those spreading fake news on social media platforms, urging podcasters, vloggers and journalists to disseminate news responsibly.
Pakistan’s government has increased its efforts of cracking down on fake news on social media platforms this year. In April, the government established the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to investigate and prosecute cybercrimes across the country. In January, it tightened the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) with amendments, saying the changes were aimed at combating hacking, online harassment and data breaches.
Pakistani opposition parties, journalists and rights groups, on the other hand, have accused the government of passing laws to stifle dissent and criticism. Media houses and news organizations have cited frequent harassment and intimidation by authorities. Pakistan’s government denies the allegations.
“We will sit with the information ministry and the NCCIA to launch a massive-scale crackdown,” Naqvi told reporters during a news conference in Islamabad. “We cannot allow that you spread fake news this way and promote panic throughout the country, and then no one says anything to you.”
