Latest news with #AttaullahTarar
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Tarar, Naqvi discuss important issues
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi held a meeting to discuss matters of mutual interest, the overall law and order situation, and the constructive role of the media in national discourse. During the meeting, both ministers agreed on adopting a coordinated strategy to strengthen the state narrative, maintain public confidence, and counter misinformation on social media platforms. 'The integrity of the country, dignity of national institutions, and social harmony must be protected at all costs. No negative propaganda against these will be tolerated,' said Minister Tarar. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Minister shrugs off PECA criticism
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar speaks to Voice of America in an interview. Photo: Screengrab/VoA Information Minister Atta Tarar said on Wednesday that amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and the establishment of a new national agency are aimed at tackling rising digital threats — not suppressing freedom of expression. Speaking in Islamabad, Tarar said the legislation is designed to improve accountability in the online space and protect vulnerable communities. The remarks by the minister come amid growing concerns around freedom of speech in the country. Earlier on Friday, an Islamabad court suspended an order that had banned 27 YouTube channels operated by journalists and commentators. The ban had been imposed by a lower court following a request from the newly formed National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), which accused the channels of spreading anti-state and defamatory content. The move was enabled under provisions of the PECA. "These laws are not meant to suppress free speech," he said. "Even the best democracies maintain systems of justice and accountability." He said the legislation seeks to make online spaces safer, particularly for women and vulnerable communities. "The digital space must protect, not endanger, those already at risk in society," he added. Tarar warned that the misuse of social media poses one of the most serious challenges of the modern era. Citing a World Economic Forum report, he said the negative use of digital platforms represents a global threat. "Fake news and propaganda are among the most dangerous issues facing societies today," he said. "Anyone can easily incite violence on these platforms." He blamed all political parties for contributing to the unchecked growth of online misinformation and called for a national effort to promote responsible digital conduct. Information minister noted the rapid expansion of social media and the shift from traditional print to electronic and digital platforms, which, he said, evolved with little oversight. He urged political leaders to use their platforms to raise awareness around societal issues such as gender discrimination and patriarchy. While entertainment and fashion accounts attract millions of followers, he said, social media should also be used for constructive and inclusive dialogue. "Social media should work under a new framework to address real social issues," he concluded.
Business Recorder
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Dialogue Among Civilisations: Tarar arrives in Beijing to attend Ministerial Conference
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar arrived in Beijing to attend the high-level Ministerial Conference on Dialogue Among Civilisations, where he will deliver a keynote address on the theme 'Civilisation Exchange and Mutual Learning: Cultural Heritage and Innovation.' The two-day forum, taking place on July 10–11, is being organised by the Publicity and International Departments of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee in collaboration with China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is part of President Xi Jinping's Global Civilization Initiative, which aims at promoting mutual respect and deeper understanding among world cultures. Minister Tarar's participation underscores Pakistan's commitment to fostering dialogue and cooperation among civilizations in the fields of culture, media, and innovation. During his visit, Minister Tarar is also scheduled to meet with Cao Shou Min, Deputy Head of the CPC Central Committee's Publicity Department and Party Secretary and Minister of China's National Radio and Television Administration. The meeting will focus on strengthening Pakistan-China media cooperation, exploring opportunities for cultural exchange, and enhancing mutual understanding between the two nations. Highlighting the importance of intercultural dialogue, Minister Tarar stated, 'Dialogue among civilisations is the foundation of global harmony, peace, and development. Pakistan will continue to play its active role in this vital process.' He added that growing media and cultural collaboration between Pakistan and China is bringing the people of both countries closer and strengthening bilateral ties. Calling the event a unique opportunity to foster mutual respect and learning across global civilisations, the minister emphasised that such initiatives reflect the shared vision of the leadership and people of Pakistan and China. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Gulf Today
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
More than two dozen critics of Pakistani government face YouTube ban
Alphabet-owned YouTube has told more than two dozen critics of the Pakistani government that it is considering blocking their channels after a local court sought to ban them for being "anti-state." The channels that could be blocked in Pakistan include that of the main opposition party and also its leader, jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, as well as journalists critical of the government, according to the June 24 court order seen by Reuters. The judicial magistrate court in Islamabad said it was seeking the ban after the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) criticised the channels in a June 2 report for "sharing highly intimidating, provocative and derogatory contents against state institutions and officials of the state of Pakistan." Digital rights campaigners say that any ban would further undermine free speech in Pakistan, where the authorities are accused of stifling newspapers and television and social media is seen as one of the few outlets for dissent. YouTube told the 27 content creators that their channels could be taken down if they did not comply with the court orders. "If you fail to do so, as per our local law obligations, we may comply with the request without further notice," the popular video sharing platform said in emails this week to the channel owners, according to a notice seen by Reuters. YouTube's regional communications manager did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for a comment. Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also did not immediately respond to a request for comment. One of the content creators, Asad Toor, who has more than 333,000 YouTube subscribers, said the move was aimed at undermining fundamental and constitutional rights of the people, political parties and other dissident groups. "It is not about me. It is about these people who are on the left side of the state," he told Reuters. "I have dedicated my platform for these underdogs who have no place to go to and raise their voices against the state oppression." MIGRATION TO YOUTUBE After the government clamped down on traditional media, many independent-minded reporters migrated to YouTube, as did journalists and commentators sympathetic to Imran Khan, who was removed from office in 2022. "It's not only about anchors getting fired or YouTube channels getting banned. It's what they are not allowing to be told and the human rights abuse they are trying to hide from the world," said Zulfikar Bukhari, a spokesman for Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) party. "In this day and age you can't suppress digital media," said Bukhari. The order is the latest in a series of laws and regulations from Islamabad that have enabled the authorities to crack down on critics and dissidents. It has blocked social media platforms like X, Facebook and TikTok on several occasions. In January, Pakistan's parliament introduced a new amendment in the Electronic Crimes Act to further regulate cyber content, which included a new social media regulatory authority with its own investigation agency and tribunals. Such tribunals will be able to try and punish alleged offenders with prison sentences of as long as three years and fines of two million rupees ($7,200) for dissemination of information deemed "false or fake". Similar laws to order the removal of disputed content have also been introduced in neighbouring India, which has had disagreements with X and Google over such directives. In recent years, India has banned dozens of YouTube channels citing national security. Digital rights activist Usama Khilji said the Pakistani court did not fulfil due process. "What is jarring is the complete lack of legal process," he said. Toor said neither the court nor the cyber crime agency gave him a chance to respond to the allegations, and that he would be taking legal action against the court order. "It is a dictatorial move. It can't silence me," he said. Reuters
Express Tribune
12-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
FinMin's presser marred by journalists boycott
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is presenting federal budget for fiscal year 2025-26 in National Assembly on June 10. Photo : Journalists briefly boycotted Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb's post-budget press conference on Wednesday after the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) broke with a decades-old tradition by failing to provide a technical briefing on the Finance Bill. The boycott forced a delay in the press conference as finance ministry officials attempted to convince reporters to return - without success. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar eventually intervened and managed to resolve the standoff, allowing the briefing to proceed. Journalists protested the absence of the customary technical session, saying such briefings had been provided consistently for over 20 years. The omission this year was seen as a serious breach of transparency. Later, the finance minister sent the relevant officials to persuade the journalists, but to no avail. When the matter became serious, Tarar reached 'P' Block, where the press conference was being held, and resolved the matter.
