Islamabad: Parliamentary Secretary Sajid Mehdi informed the National Assembly on Monday that a total of 86,000 SIM cards had been deactivated due to their involvement in anti-state activities.
Responding to a call-to-attention notice by Asiya Naz Tanoli concerning the proliferation of misinformation on social media, Mr. Mehdi highlighted several measures undertaken by the government to combat fake news and misinformation.
He disclosed that the government had temporarily blocked the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) as part of these efforts. He further reiterated that the deactivation of SIM cards was a step toward addressing the misuse of communication channels.
“Amendments to the Electronic Crimes Act are in the pipeline,” Mehdi informed the House, noting that the changes aim to strengthen regulations to curb fake news effectively.
The parliamentary secretary also mentioned restrictions on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to limit the dissemination of misinformation. “A task force has been established under the Prime Minister’s directive to address this issue, and awareness campaigns are being expanded to educational institutions, including universities, colleges, and schools,” he added.
Mehdi acknowledged the global challenges of combating fake news while emphasizing Pakistan’s proactive stance. “Globally, fake news does not receive the same level of attention, and there is a greater emphasis on freedom of expression. However, we remain committed to minimizing the adverse effects of misinformation in our country,” he remarked.
The government’s efforts aim to align with international standards while prioritizing the safety and stability of the nation.
