KARACHI: The Sindh Apex Committee has decided to set up a special unit within the home department to address growing cases of social media “misuse” in coordination with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
The decision was taken by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah while chairing the 32nd Apex Committee here at CM House on April 10.
Corps Commander Lt Gen Mohammad Avais Dastagir, Rangers director general, inspector general of police, provincial ministers and representatives of intelligence and law enforcement agencies attended the meeting.
According to a press statement, the Apex Committee was informed that “a Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority has been created” by the federal government under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) framework “to ensure online safety and protect the rights of individuals on social media”.
The committee was also informed that the authority will have the power to regulate unlawful or offensive content on social media platforms, manage the enlistment of these platforms, partially or fully block them, and issue guidelines and directives for standards regarding content.
Additionally, it can direct relevant authorities to block or remove unlawful or offensive content.
The chief minister said that a special unit was being established within the home department to address complaints and cases related to the misuse of social media, involving collaboration among all federal agencies, including the FIA, PTA and provincial police.
At the outset, the CM emphasised the need for rigorous pursuit of terrorism cases, declaring zero tolerance for militants.
The main components of the National Action Plan (NAP) include strengthening Counter Terrorism Departments (CTDs), combating terrorism in various media forms, choking off terrorist financing, regulating religious seminaries, and reforming the criminal justice system.
Published in Dawn, April 11th, 2025