Social Media Ban Resolution Withdrawn Due To Protest

A Senate protest on Monday led PPP Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi to retract his resolution calling for a ban on all social media platforms. The resolution aimed to prohibit Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, X and YouTube in Pakistan, citing their “negative and devastating effects” on the younger generation. The resolution, originally scheduled for discussion on Monday, was associated with Senator Tangi, who had been expelled by the PPP last month for not opposing Independent Senator Dilawar Khan’s resolution seeking the postponement of general elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan during a previous Senate session.

Despite his expulsion, Tangi’s Senate secretariat record still identifies him as a PPP senator. The proposed ban on major social media platforms coincided with disruptions to X’s service in the country following backlash against the judiciary and establishment after the general elections on Feb 8.

Read more: Senate To Debate PPP Senators Resolution On Social Media Ban

During the 335th Senate session, a protest, including Tangi, was staged against the raid on Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai’s residence. As Tangi attempted to introduce his resolution, another protest erupted against it. The Senate Deputy Chairman halted Tangi’s speech amid the protest, and when given another chance, Tangi withdrew the resolution. The resolution claimed that these digital platforms promoted norms “against our religion and culture,” created hatred based on language and religion, and spread negative propaganda against the armed forces. It also asserted that vested interests used these platforms to disseminate fake news and promote fake leadership in the country.