ISLAMABAD: Omar Ayub, the National Assembly’s Opposition Leader, on Thursday expressed concerns regarding the “Digital Nation Pakistan Bill,” warning of its likely detrimental impact on press freedom and civil rights.
Presented a day earlier, the legislation proposes alterations to the country’s existing cybercrime laws and suggests imposing harsher penalties for spreading disinformation. Moreover, it aims to create a new regulatory authority endowed with considerable powers, including the capability to restrict or completely block access to social media platforms.
“Fifty-six percent of Pakistanis lack access to the internet or digital literacy, and this bill disproportionately affects these marginalized groups,” Ayub stated in his letter to the National Assembly.
Reflecting on recent internet issues in Pakistan, the opposition leader argued that the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill would exacerbate these challenges, asserting that such actions would hinder the progress toward a free and open digital society in Pakistan.
Non-civilian appointments in IT sector
Ayub also condemned the government for allowing non-civilian appointments in the IT sector, claiming that these choices violate privacy laws and compromise the security of citizens’ data.
He referred to past incidents to highlight the need for transparency and civilian oversight in IT governance, emphasizing the importance of maintaining public trust and protecting individual rights.
