Information Minister Atta Tarar has dismissed reports regarding the installation of a Chinese-style firewall to control social media in Pakistan.
Addressing concerns, Tarar humorously referenced the Great Wall of China while denying any such measures being discussed during the Prime Minister's recent visit to China.
Earlier, several reports revealed that a national firewall is indeed being installed on various internet service providers (ISPs) to filter content on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and X.
This new firewall is expected to block unwanted content from reaching a wider audience.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Tarar highlighted the nation's progress despite internal and external challenges to peace and development.
He noted the success of the Prime Minister's recent visit to China, emphasizing the deepening Pakistan-China relationship.
"The Prime Minister's meeting with the Chinese President lasted three hours, with discussions on upgrading the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)," Tarar stated, underscoring the historic nature of the discussions.
Tarar lauded Pakistan's election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, describing it as a significant diplomatic achievement. He further reported positive economic indicators, citing increased IT exports, a reduced trade deficit, and stabilized exchange rates.
Addressing the economy, Tarar mentioned that inflation has decreased, with the dollar rate stabilizing around Rs277-278 due to measures against dollar hoarding.
He added that the country now holds two months' worth of foreign exchange reserves, up from the brink of bankruptcy a few months ago.
On the topic of social media regulations, Tarar dismissed rumours about a Chinese-style firewall, humorously referencing the Great Wall of China instead. He also stressed the need for defamation laws to curb the spread of misinformation and hate speech on social media, hinting at potential future legislation.
Regarding domestic politics, Tarar slated former Prime Minister Imran Khan, accusing him of involvement in a significant corruption scandal.
He also questioned the judicial handling of the Al-Qadir Trust case, implying bias and calling for accountability.
In closing, Tarar highlighted the government's achievements in its first 100 days, including successful visits to China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. He assured that the Finance Minister would soon provide detailed insights into the upcoming budget.
