In a significant political development, a resolution proposing the ban of major social media platforms in Pakistan has emerged on the agenda for the upcoming Senate session scheduled for March 4.
Led by Senator Bahramand Tangi of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the proposed ban targets prominent platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter (now known as X), and YouTube.
The resolution argues for prohibiting these mainstream social media platforms, citing concerns about their potential misuse against the nation’s interests and aiming to protect the younger generation from their adverse effects.
READ MORE — Amidst X Outage, Call for Ban on All Social Media Platforms
However, it’s important to note that while the resolution may receive approval, it lacks legal binding. It also highlights the widespread misuse of these platforms for spreading misinformation on various issues, underscoring the need for such action.
Reportedly, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has revoked Senator Tangi’s primary party membership, citing alleged breaches of party discipline and his failure to respond to a show-cause notice regarding his purported silence on a resolution advocating for a postponement of the February 8 polls.
Access to social media in Pakistan has been inconsistent in recent weeks, with the government previously banning X in the country following allegations of election rigging by the Rawalpindi Commissioner. The platform has experienced intermittent accessibility issues, with slow loading times even when accessible.