Government shows willingness to revisit social media rules

The federal government has hinted at revisiting the social media rules, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

During the hearing of a case against social media rules in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday, Attorney General (AG), Khalid Jawed Khan told the court that these rules were not the word of God and that the stakeholders could give their opinions.

Following which the court ordered the PTA and stakeholders to submit to it a report after consultations.

Chief Justice Athar Minallah remarked that it appeared as if the PTA had not taken the stakeholders into confidence on the issue. “Consultations are necessary so that there could be no ambiguity in this case,” the judge emphasised.

The AG said closing down the social media sites was not a solution to the problem, and that he would submit a report to the IHC after consultations with the stakeholders. He also sought time from the court for the purpose.

Concurring with AG Khalid Jawed Khan’s viewpoint, the judges remarked that taking all concerned on board was a nice suggestion.

The court directed the AG to also identify stakeholders in the case.

The court hoped that the picture would become clearer once the attorney general submitted his report.

When Usama Khawar, lawyer for one of the petitioners, told the court that although the PTA had listened to him before, but his suggestions were not incorporated, the court asked him to trust the attorney general since he had assured that all the stakeholders will be listened to.

When Kashif Malik, counsel for another petitioner, requested the court to declare any action in the light of current social media rules null and void, the court also told him to repose complete trust in AG Khalid Jawed Khan.

Later, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah adjourned the hearing for four weeks.