We all know that Pakistani social media runs things which leave us completely puzzled; whether they are awkward politics-related stories with Bollywood songs playing in the background or absurd content which just does not qualify as news.

But this news is something very crazy and disgusting too. Recently, some media reports this week claim that they’re considering a ban on all social media, while others say that they might demand a local version of the websites.

Yes, Pakistan’s lawmakers want changes to be made on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and pretty much every other social media platform.

Officials are reportedly responding to the recent act of alleged “character assassination” involving what some say is a fake picture circulating on social media.

Facebook and Google are also under attack from newspapers in the U.K., which are seeking more regulation of the sites due to the spread of fake news in some countries.

Pakistan said to consider banning Facebook and other social media

The Independent reported on Wednesday that Islamabad High Court Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui is calling for Facebook and other social media websites because people are using them to spread “blasphemous” images. He also wants to keep those who have posted such content online from leaving the country by placing their names on the Exit Control List.

The judge reportedly claimed that he hasn’t been sleeping since he saw content that offended him and reportedly drew a comparison between blasphemers and terrorists. Facebook is said to be working on removing the offending pages.

In Pakistan, blaspheming the Prophet Muhammad is considered a capital crime. Other religious offenses are also listed as crimes, including “defiling the Quran” and “wounding religious feelings.” Making “derogatory remarks” is also a crime in Pakistan.

On Wednesday, Khan called for rapid development of a strategy within days to cut use of social media for character assassination. He told the Ministry of Interior to work with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to work on a plan that wouldn’t negatively impact freedom of speech but would also keep people from misusing the right to free speech, reports Samaa TV.

He also said that Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp should be ordered to roll out local versions of their websites and work to keep controversial material about people from being circulated.

This isn’t the first time Pakistani officials have battled major tech companies. They did carry out on their threats to ban YouTube a couple of years ago due to controversial and offensive content.

News: Source