Summary
- A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication was held on Thursday, where members discussed restrictions on TikTok Live, tighter controls on internet and social media use by children under 16, and the development of a dedicated messaging super app for government officials.
- The PTA chairman also briefed the committee about restrictions imposed by some countries on social media use by children below the age of 16.
- Committee members called for stricter measures to regulate internet access and social media use among children under 16.
A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication was held on Thursday, where members discussed restrictions on TikTok Live, tighter controls on internet and social media use by children under 16, and the development of a dedicated messaging super app for government officials.
The meeting was chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan. During the session, Senator Afnan Ullah raised concerns over what he described as highly inappropriate and dangerous activities taking place through TikTok Live.
The Additional Director of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) said the agency would formally approach the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) regarding the issue.
The PTA chairman informed the committee that TikTok Live was officially banned in Pakistan. However, he said authorities could not completely prevent people from accessing the feature through virtual private networks (VPNs).
Senator Afnan Ullah also raised concerns over allegedly blasphemous content being produced through TikTok Live. Senator Kamran Murtaza said certain activities were being deliberately promoted in society and called for steps to address the issue.
The PTA chairman also briefed the committee about restrictions imposed by some countries on social media use by children below the age of 16. He said he had held a meeting with Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry regarding the use of social media by children.
According to the PTA chairman, around 500 complaints related to social media are being received in Pakistan every day.
Committee members called for stricter measures to regulate internet access and social media use among children under 16. They discussed the need for stronger safeguards to protect minors from harmful online content.
The committee also discussed an agenda concerning the alleged sale of sensitive data belonging to Pakistani government officials and other senior figures abroad.
The NCCIA Additional Director told the meeting that a group involved in selling sensitive information had been arrested. He said a gang had been apprehended in Rawalpindi for allegedly selling data belonging to senior officials abroad in exchange for money.
The committee also recommended the development of a dedicated messaging super app for government officials. It directed the PTA to begin work on the proposed application.
The meeting further discussed the notification of telecom competition rules. The committee gave the Ministry of Information Technology 15 days to consult telecom companies and proceed with the matter.
Members also decided to convene a joint meeting of the Senate Standing Committees on Privatisation and IT to discuss outstanding payments related to the privatisation of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL).
Senator Kamran Murtaza raised another issue concerning connectivity between the Supreme Court and its Quetta Registry. He said the link between the two locations had not been functioning properly.
Meanwhile, the committee chairperson said complaints had been received regarding disruptions to internet services in Islamabad.
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