Pakistan's internet freedom declined dramatically in 2020 due to govt policies: Report

Internet freedom in Pakistan has declined dramatically in 2021 as Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government has increased blocking political, social and cultural websites, as well as increased "weaponisation of cybercrime law as a tool", said a report. report, 'Annual Pakistan media legal review 2020', was launched by Institute for Research, vocacy and Development (IRA) to commemorate upcoming World Press Freedom Day on May 3, Dawn reported. 

Report: 'Internet freedom has declined in Pakistan'

As per report titled, "Growing fear and hate in Pakistani online civic s", accumulative effect of se outcomes was that alrey unfriendly legal framework governing freedom of expression, right to information and digital rights in Pakistan has worsened considerably during 2020. report furr said that Pakistan was experiencing major setbacks in enforcement of digital rights, freedom of expression and right to information- especially on online s-through regression in areas of internet policies and regulations. 

"This is resulting in a rise in censorship, hate speech, digital surveillance and breach of privacy and disinformation and misinformation online," report ded.

ting that cybercrime law was repeatedly invoked against journalists and opinion makers for exercising freedom of expression and social media activism, report said that a large number of journalists and social media activists became targets of draconian Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016. 

report also mentioned that several journalists and rights activists have faced inquiries, abductions, investigations and arrests related to ir online/social media activities and posts. Stating that freedom of expression is guaranteed fundamental right in shape of Article 19 of Constitution, IRA Executive Director Mohamm Aftab Alam said, "Imran Khan-led Pakistan government need to roll back its increasingly coercive policy and hostile practices aimed at curbing free speech and bring m in alignment with best practices of diversity and pluralism in expression and allow online s to be representative of people's opinions and interests."

(Im: AP, PTI)