The Government wants Rs. 20 billion to control Social Media.Federal Government of Pakistan is planning to allocate Rs.2000000. 20 billion in the next financial year to promote cyber security and regulate social media. The move is part of a broader effort to increase digital security and control online content more effectively.
To ensure proper regulation, only social media companies with offices in Pakistan will be allowed to operate within the country. The purpose of this requirement is to improve monitoring and accountability of social media platforms.
The Ministry of IT and Telecom has requested this Rs. 20 billion funding for the Digital Information Infrastructure Initiative (DIII) in the 2024-25 budget. The initiative is designed to strengthen the country’s digital framework and improve online information management.
Earlier, the IT Ministry received Rs. 15 billion for the DII project during the current financial year. The total cost of the DII project is estimated at $135 million which is approximately Rs. 38 billion. This substantial investment underscores the government’s commitment to developing a robust digital infrastructure.
The main purpose of this funding is to regulate social media platforms, prevent their misuse and combat malicious campaigns. These efforts will be carried out under the guidelines of the Pakistan Electronic Crime Act (PECA) 2016. PECA was established to combat various forms of cybercrime and ensure a safe online environment for Pakistani citizens.
The new funding will be used to enhance existing cybersecurity initiatives and develop new strategies to protect against cyber threats. This includes implementing advanced technologies and training personnel to deal more effectively with cyber incidents.
By regulating social media companies and requiring their local offices, the government hopes to increase transparency and ensure that these companies comply with Pakistani laws and regulations. The move is also expected to create more job opportunities within the country, as social media companies will need to hire local staff for their operations.
