Shahbaz will make task force?
Under the proposal given by the government, the task force will include officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra). This task force will also get the help of police and other law enforcement agencies. Along with this, some such rules will also be made under which the misuse of social media will be curbed. The government has accused former PM and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan of propaganda against the military.
In such a situation, bringing this proposal is very important in itself. According to many experts, a polarization politics is going on in the whole country at this time. The same politics is now visible in the digital world and on many social media trends as well. The army and the government believe that through these trends the military and such officers are being targeted who have got promotions in recent years.
propaganda against the military
In August 2022, displeasure was expressed by the military over the wrong propaganda. The Army believes that lies are being spread on social media and insensitive comments are being made. The campaign was launched on social media after the death of six Pakistani officers in a helicopter crash in Balochistan.
After this, a team was formed by the FIA and the people running this entire campaign were traced and then arrested. It was told by the Ministry of Home Affairs that eight Tiktok accounts, 44 Twitter handles and more than 50 Facebook accounts were identified. The ‘Anti Army’ campaign was being run on social media through these accounts.
government’s second attempt
This is the second attempt by the government when the army is being criticized in this way on social media. In February this year, differences came to the fore among the cabinet members regarding a bill. Under this bill, an attempt was made to rein in social media. This bill was sent to the government for approval. During the cabinet meeting, some members said that those people who defame MPs should also be brought under the law. According to the members, some people try to do anything in the name of freedom of expression and it is very important to control such people. This bill, which came from the Ministry of Home Affairs, was named the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2023.