Interior Minister Claims Social Media is Being Used for Extremists Activities

Ahsan Iqbal, the Interior Minister says that social media is being used by extremists as their medium of communication.

At a high-level meeting, the Minister directed National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NACTA) (an internal counter-terrorism authority in Pakistan) to closely monitor social media platforms for possible activity by extremists as they use these platforms for their propaganda.

What NACTA Needs To Do

The minister said,

It is inevitable to strengthen NACTA and make it more operational to fight against terrorism.

NACTA – which was set up in 2009 – has the authority to devise counter-terrorist strategies for implementation in the short, medium or long-term.

He emphasised that NACTA’s rules and regulations should be improved and reviewed to cover any flaws. NACTA needs to focus on their strategic work and planning to make sure their counter-terrorism activities are as efficient and as effective as possible.

While improving the regulatory ability and counter-terrorism activities of the authority, Ahsan Iqbal suggested the law be improved and reviewed to minimize inefficiencies and for boosting effectiveness.

The minister also highlighted that crime-fighting institutions need good coordination along with an effective, efficient and intelligent use of the resources provided to them.

Fake News on Social Media

Misleading news and activity on social media is one of the many causes of the general public being deluded. Due to this aspect, he ordered the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) cyber-crime division to keep track of such activities – circulation of misleading and misguiding news – to contain any possible confusion among the general public.

He added to this by recommending that the NACTA should ensure the implementation of criminal justice laws in Pakistan.

Via Tribune