Pakistan Attorney General (AGP) Khalid Javed told the Islamabad Supreme Court (IHC) that the federal government will invite everyone to review the laws governing social media.
His remarks came during a petition hearing against a recently approved social media rule developed by the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) and heard by IHC Court Chief Justice Atar Minala.
AGP Khalid Javed represented the association in the case and told the court that the government had not finalized the regulatory rules.
“The government can change social media rules,” he said, asking for more time to finalize the law. The court accepted the motion and postponed further examination of the case until 26 January.
There were huge protests in the country when the government announced new rules for social media last November. People believe that the new social media regulations will limit freedom of expression and criticize “the government’s excessive involvement in social media affairs”.
Prime Minister Imran Khan supported his move, however, saying it was necessary to protect citizens and regulate social media in the country.
Chairing a meeting to review social media rules, the prime minister said the new rules were not meant to harass political opponents. He has ordered the authorities to involve all stakeholders before implementing the new law.