Terrorists Now Using Social Media, Says Talal Chaudhry

Federal Minister for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, has said that terrorists have shifted from using guns to exploiting social media for their activities. He highlighted that authorities themselves are among the victims of online misuse, emphasizing the growing risks of digital platforms. This statement underscores the terrorists now using social media as a modern tool for spreading violence and misinformation.

The remarks were made during a Senate Standing Committee on Interior meeting, where Senator Anusha Rahman’s bill to amend the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) was discussed. The bill was passed with consensus after thorough debate, aiming to regulate objectionable content on social media platforms.

Senator Anusha Rahman stressed the need for clear procedures for removing offensive material. She asked what would happen if social media platforms fail to comply with requests from PTA and NCCIA to remove harmful content. NCCIA’s Director General confirmed that requests had already been made to the platforms for cooperation.

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Talal Chaudhry added that legislation concerning social media falls under the Ministry of IT. He also noted that, while the world often criticizes such regulations as curbs on free speech, these measures are necessary to combat misuse. The emphasis is on holding social media platforms and service providers accountable for content shared on their networks.

Reiterating the point, Talal Chaudhry said that terrorists now using social media pose a real threat, just as they did earlier with physical weapons like pistols. The government is committed to ensuring social media platforms follow regulations to prevent abuse while balancing freedom of expression.