ISLAMABAD, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan will launch a major crackdown against those using social media to promote extremist narrative, a cabinet minister has said.
Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said in Islamabad on Wednesday that a mechanism has been prepared in consultations with the security agencies to take action against the misuse of the social media.
Officials say several elements in Pakistan have opened fake accounts on social media, including Twitter and Facebook, to propagate extremism and to promote hate among different schools of thought. Such people also use social media to campaign against the state and security agencies.
The information minister regretted that certain elements through fake accounts are resorting to hate speeches and issuing edicts. He said these elements will be brought to book.
"A mechanism has been devised to control hate speech on social media. The Federal Investigation Agency, which is also responsible for monitoring of cyber-crimes, and other relevant agencies have unanimously prepared a plan to curb misuse of the social media," the minister told a training workshop for parliamentarians.
"We are also establishing a media regulatory authority which will ensure enforcement of related regulations regarding the media," Chaudhry said.
He said Pakistan has almost overcome the menace of terrorism and no one will be allowed to promote extremism and terrorism on the social media.
"Pakistan has given immense sacrifices in the war on terror and in the next phase we will further consolidate the gains made against terrorism not allowing those resorting to hate speeches," he said.
