Minister of State for IT, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, has dismissed claims that the upcoming firewall is intended to regulate social media. During a media briefing at the Parliament House, she addressed current cybersecurity and social media regulation issues, stating that the rumors suggesting the firewall’s role in controlling social media content are unfounded. She emphasized that social media remains accessible and criticized the controversy surrounding it.
While Khawaja did not provide specific details about the firewall’s installation, she stressed the importance of cybersecurity. She also addressed the recent shutdown of X (formerly Twitter), noting that the platform’s failure to comply with Pakistani laws was a significant issue. In contrast, Facebook’s adherence to local regulations and TikTok’s near-total compliance were highlighted as examples of platforms meeting local legal requirements.
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Khawaja also pointed out that if the intention were to impose a ban, platforms like TikTok and Facebook would also face restrictions. However, TikTok largely follows local laws, unlike X, which is still in discussions with the government.
