A petition recently filed in the Lahore High Court seeks the immediate ban of widely used social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. The primary concern raised by the petitioner revolves around the increasing prevalence of unethical practices and the erosion of traditional family values attributed to unregulated content on these platforms. According to the petitioner, social media is being misused by many individuals in Pakistan who engage in blackmailing, upload immoral content, and create fake videos. These activities, conducted without proper licensing or oversight, are seen as detrimental to societal norms and values.
The petitioner is urging the court to implement the Citizen Protection Rules to effectively regulate these platforms. This includes a demand for mandatory licensing for anyone wishing to upload content and, ultimately, an overall shutdown of the sites until such regulations can be enforced. Furthermore, the petition underscores the exigent need for a regulatory framework that would help curb the improper use of these social media platforms and safeguard societal ethics.
In conjunction with this petition, a separate plea has emerged challenging the reduction in internet speed and the closure of the platform X, formerly known as Twitter. This petition highlights that such measures violate basic human rights and inflict significant financial losses on citizens who rely on stable internet connectivity for various aspects of daily life. It calls upon the court to promptly restore access to the platform and address the issue of decreased internet speeds, thereby ensuring that citizens’ rights to information and expression are not hindered.
The overarching trend indicated by these petitions is a growing concern about the social and ethical impact of unregulated social media use in Pakistan. There is a call for stricter regulation and increased oversight. These legal actions reflect a broader debate about internet usage regulations, societal values, and the delicate balance between freedom of expression and ethical considerations. The petitions underscore the necessity for a coherent and structured policy approach to managing digital platforms in a way that aligns with societal norms and protects individuals from unscrupulous activities.
