Senator Bahramand Tangi has stirred controversy by proposing a resolution to ban several mainstream social media platforms in Pakistan, including Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube.
The resolution, scheduled for discussion during the Senate meeting on March 4, aims to shield the young generation from what Tangi describes as the “negative and devastating effects” of these platforms.
Citing concerns about the promotion of norms contrary to religion and culture, Senator Tangi alleges that social media platforms have become breeding grounds for hatred and division among people, particularly on the basis of language and religion. He also accuses these platforms of perpetuating negative propaganda against Pakistan’s armed forces, prompting calls for their ban to safeguard the country’s interests.
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However, it’s worth noting that Senator Tangi’s move comes amidst controversy within his own party, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Earlier, the party terminated Tangi’s membership for violating party discipline and failing to respond to a show-cause notice. PPP leaders accused Tangi of deviating from the party’s narrative during a recent Senate session and disregarding a resolution calling for the postponement of general elections.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has been grappling with restricted access to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) for the past two weeks. The outage, which began on February 17, has left users struggling to access the platform, raising concerns about freedom of expression and communication in the country.