Pakistan Shuts Down 80,000 SIM Cards to Combat Fake News Spread

ISLAMABAD, Dec 11: In response to rising concerns over misinformation spread through social media, Pakistani authorities have blocked around 80,000 SIM cards linked to the dissemination of fake news. This announcement was made on Wednesday by Sajid Mehdi, the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Division, during a session of the National Assembly addressing a notice on false news circulating on digital platforms.
Mehdi emphasized the necessity of amending the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) of 2016 to effectively combat the issue of fake news. He stated that the proposed changes would facilitate quicker trials for cases involving the spread of false information.
The problem of fake news has gained international attention due to its implications for peace and stability both domestically and globally. Authorities noted that Pakistan has encountered challenges related to misinformation, particularly in the context of protests led by the imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party.
Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is noted for its heavy reliance on social media to convey its messages, which the government labels as fake.
Additionally, authorities have detained 150 individuals, including 22 arrests, primarily from Khan’s party, for allegedly spreading anti-army messages on social media related to the deaths of party members in Islamabad on November 26.
Mehdi outlined the government’s proactive measures, including the blocking of SIM cards, law revisions, and the formation of a joint task force, to reduce the adverse impacts of fake news. He mentioned that the task force has presented its findings to the Prime Minister and continues to work on addressing these challenges.
Furthermore, the government is in the process of registering Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to enhance monitoring and governance of online activities, with Mehdi expressing optimism that these initiatives will help curb the spread of misinformation.
Following the initial phase that saw over 69,000 SIM cards blocked in August 2016, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has recently initiated a second phase targeting additional mobile SIM cards.
On December 5, senior military officials expressed their concerns regarding the surge of “propaganda and disinformation” directed at the armed forces, urging the government to implement stringent laws to combat hate speech and division masquerading as free speech. This call to action was made during the 84th Formation Commanders’ Conference led by Army Chief General Asim Munir at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. (PTI)