“AIC and its member companies are alarmed by the scope of Pakistan’s new law targeting internet companies, as well as the government’s opaque process by which these rules were developed,” the statement read. The government passed social media rules on November 20, 2020 despite criticism and protests from human rights activists and organisations. The rules which broaden PTA's powers will be damaging for Pakistan's digital economy, according to AIC. The AIC members may have to discontinue their services in Pakistan due to the new rules which go against prevailing human rights norms worldwide. "The Rules would make it extremely difficult for AIC Members to make their services available to Pakistani users and businesses.

Source: The Express Tribune November 21, 2020 09:00 UTC