Senate To Debate PPP Senator’s Resolution On Social Media Ban

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Bahramand Tangi’s resolution, advocating for a ban on various social media platforms, is slated for discussion during the Senate meeting scheduled for March 4.

In the resolution, Senator Tangi urges the prohibition of social media sites, including Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter (referred to as X), and YouTube, citing concerns about their negative and detrimental impact on the young generation. The resolution emphasizes the adverse effects of these platforms on the youth, their promotion of norms contrary to religion and culture, and the propagation of hatred based on language and religion.

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Senator Tangi expresses worries about the misuse of social media platforms against the country’s interests, particularly through negative and malicious propaganda against the armed forces of Pakistan. Additionally, the resolution accuses these platforms of being utilized for spreading fake news on various issues and attempting to deceive the young generation by creating and promoting false leadership in the country.

It is noteworthy that even if passed, the resolution is non-binding. The PPP Secretary General Nayyar Bukhari disassociates the party from the resolution, asserting that Senator Tangi is not a PPP member. Bukhari highlights that Tangi had previously received a show-cause notice for deviating from party policy but failed to provide an explanation.

Senator Tangi’s basic membership in the PPP was reportedly terminated for violating party discipline and not responding to a show-cause notice related to his silence on a resolution calling for a delay in the February 8 polls.

Digital rights activists have criticized the authorities’ actions, including the blockage of X for Pakistanis and the shutdown of internet services during elections. They call for transparency regarding the prolonged inaccessibility of X.