Govt secures two-thirds majority in Senate
The bill, presented by senators Sarmad Ali and Masroor Ahsan, makes the social media companies legally responsible to block the accounts of under-16 persons. In case of violation, the bill stipulates a fine of Rs50,000 to Rs5 million and a prison term of six months.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) will have the authority to implement the law, make procedures and clarify, according to the bill.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Central leader talks to journalists: Strategies aimed at deepening PPP's footprint in Punjab discussed
LAHORE: Sania Kamran, central leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and former Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA), held an important meeting with senior English-language journalists in Lahore on behalf of Central Information Secretary Nadeem Afzal Chan. The discussion focused on strategies to strengthen the party's presence in Punjab and enhance coordination between the media and PPP's central leadership. During the meeting, Sania Kamran emphasized the need for a stronger liaison between journalists and PPP's central leadership to ensure effective communication of the party's policies and vision. She highlighted the importance of media in shaping public opinion and reiterated PPP's commitment to democratic values, social justice, and the welfare of the people. Kamran acknowledged that Punjab remains a crucial battleground for the party and discussed plans to reorganize party structures, mobilize workers, and engage with grassroots communities. She stressed that PPP's progressive agenda, including healthcare, education, and economic reforms, must be effectively communicated to the people of Punjab. Recognizing the media's role in political discourse, Kamran proposed regular interactions between journalists and PPP's top leadership, including Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and President Asif Ali Zardari. She suggested forming a dedicated media cell to facilitate smoother communication and ensure timely dissemination of the party's stance on national issues. Sania Kamran praised Central Information Secretary Nadeem Afzal Chan's efforts to strengthen ties between the party leadership and media. She stated, 'A robust media liaison is vital for projecting PPP's progressive agenda, and Nadeem Afzal Chan's proactive approach will ensure better coordination between journalists and our leadership.' The former MPA provided an in-depth analysis of the current political landscape in Pakistan, criticizing the economic challenges, inflation, and governance issues under the current setup. She asserted that PPP, as a national party, is prepared to play a constructive role in stabilizing the country while holding the government accountable. Kamran outlined PPP's vision for the upcoming political scenario, emphasizing the need for unity among democratic forces. She hinted at possible alliances but reaffirmed that PPP would not compromise on its core principles. Regarding Punjab, she stated that the party is working on a robust strategy to regain its foothold, particularly by focusing on youth engagement and addressing local grievances. Journalists present at the meeting appreciated the initiative and shared their input on improving PPP's media outreach. They suggested more frequent press briefings, access to central leadership, and a stronger social media strategy to counter opposition narratives. Sania Kamran assured the journalists that their concerns would be addressed and that PPP values their role in strengthening democracy. She expressed optimism about PPP's resurgence in Punjab and vowed to continue such engagements in the future. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
A call for justice
EDITORIAL: The recent viral video showing a couple — Bano Satakzai and Ehsan Samalani — being brutally executed in the Dagari area of Quetta for contracting a love marriage has sent shockwaves across the country. Captured on camera by one of the spectators, the horrifying footage is a chilling reminder that the barbaric practice of so-called 'honour' killings continues to claim innocent lives under the pretext of preserving family or tribal honour. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari denounced the perpetrators as 'beasts' undeserving of mercy. Senator Sherry Rehman described the act as 'gender terrorism' and called for urgent legal reforms to eradicate such archaic customs. Human rights organisations, including the Aurat Foundation and Baloch gender rights activists, also condemned the atrocity, citing data that 212 honour killing victims were reported in Balochistan alone between 2019 and 2024. Nationwide, over 400 cases were reported in 2024, with the majority occurring in Sindh and Punjab. Tragically, many 'honour' crimes go unreported, often buried within tribal/rural structures or dismissed as private family matters because the perpetrators are usually close male relatives such as a father, brother, or uncle. Compounding the problem has been the misuse of the Qisas and Dyiat laws, which allowed families to 'forgive' the killers, letting them to walk free. While legal framework has seen improvements — particularly after the 2016 murder of Qandeel Baloch, which led to removal of such loopholes — deeply entrenched societal norms continue to empower local jirgas and panchiats (village councils) to act with impunity. In this case, a tribal jirga reportedly ordered the killings over a month ago. But it only came to public attention recently, after the video began circulating on social media. The disturbing footage prompted the state to take a decisive action. On the orders of Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, a terrorism case was registered — an unusual but significant move that signals the state's seriousness in pursuing the perpetrators. Soon afterwards, the Levies and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested one key suspect along with 13 others, including a tribal chief, and raids are ongoing to apprehend other suspects. By taking ownership of the case and initiating prosecution on its own, the government has set an important precedent. However, this momentum must not be allowed to falter. A clear protocol is needed to ensure that every reported 'honour killing' triggers a prompt, firm, and state-led response. Legal proceedings must be transparent and ought to hold all those involved, including the tribal elders who sanctioned the killing, fully accountable. The system must rise to the occasion not just this time, but every time such violence is committed in the name of honour. Only then can we expect to move towards a future where justice prevails over negative traditions, and human dignity triumphs over brutality. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Implementing law, growing exports
EDITORIAL: The Senate's passage of a bill to limit the death penalty in line with GSP+ requirements may have raised a few eyebrows, but it is a necessary and long-overdue step. For too long, Pakistan has failed to match the rhetoric of economic reform with actual, difficult decisions. If GSP+ demands limiting capital punishment to only the most serious crimes, then that's exactly what must be done; no matter how polarising the conversation. Exports are not optional. They are a lifeline. Without sustained export growth, Pakistan will keep returning to the IMF, and keep falling further behind its peers. And yet, after all the slogans, special economic zones, policy incentives, and handshakes with trade partners, exports remain stubbornly stagnant. The only thing worse than not being able to grow exports, is not being able to meet conditions that allow access to markets at all. That's why compliance with the GSP+ framework matters more than ideological grandstanding. It is not Pakistan's prerogative to tell the European Union how to frame human rights laws. Nor should dissenting lawmakers presume they can afford to miss export quotas on the pretext of domestic legal interpretations. The real question is whether Pakistan can protect its citizens without inviting international scrutiny for overreach in criminal justice. Besides, the argument that crime is deterred by harsher punishment has been debunked the world over. Pakistan is not the only country to have had a public flogging era, or a time of blanket capital punishments. And yet its conviction rates remain abysmally low, with most violent criminals never brought to justice. If the point is deterrence, then it is implementation — not escalation — that delivers results. Laws are only as effective as their enforcement, and that is where Pakistan falls short. Look no further than the seafood export sector. It just posted its highest-ever volume, but still fell short of the $500 million mark — again. That revenue target has eluded the country for more than a decade now, despite the industry's tireless efforts and policy-level support. Market access limitations, quality control gaps, and regulatory bottlenecks continue to hold it back. These are issues of execution, not intention. The same holds true for the country's overall export base. Textiles remain too import-dependent, IT exports are throttled by inconsistent policies, and agricultural exporters face market access issues tied to sanitary and phytosanitary standards. Most of these challenges are solvable; if the government focuses more on execution and less on optics. Complying with GSP+ rules isn't just about pleasing the EU; it is about positioning Pakistan as a responsible, rules-based member of the global economy. That credibility cannot be built with rhetoric or nationalist defiance. It requires institutional commitment, legal alignment, and the maturity to treat external trade as a strategic priority, not a bargaining chip. Lawmakers opposing the amendment would do well to remember that this is not about letting criminals off easy. It is about taking international obligations seriously so the country can keep what little trade leverage it still holds. If those obligations require reframing certain laws to reflect international norms, so be it. Pakistan's economy doesn't have the luxury of ideological detours anymore. Export-led growth is the only sustainable path forward. And access to premium markets, especially those with preferential trade frameworks, must be protected at all costs. The sooner we realise this, the better our chances of ever breaking out of the low-growth, high-debt trap. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
