Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Saturday dismissed reports of an impending ban on social media platforms, saying the government has no intention of shutting down digital platforms and only wants global tech companies to establish offices in Pakistan.
During a discussion on a private news channel programme, Tarar indicated that assumptions about potential restrictions were unfounded, emphasizing that the government’s priority lies in regulation and a local presence rather than outright prohibitions.
His comments follow similar briefings from Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry and Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel, who suggested the possibility of restricting X, formerly Twitter.
During the televised discussion, Tarar appeared visibly firm as he shifted focus to political tensions, saying dialogue was necessary but could not move forward unless Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) first apologised before the world.
He accused the party of running propaganda campaigns against the Pakistan Army and Field Marshal Asim Munir, and demanded that PTI clearly distance itself from social media accounts allegedly operated from the UK and the US.
The information minister claimed that PTI had damaged Pakistan’s reputation on the international stage by sending letters to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), adding that the party had no option left except dialogue.
Tarar said that Pakistan had moved beyond economic uncertainty, declaring that the country was no longer on the verge of default. He stated that Field Marshal Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Pakistan itself are now receiving international recognition, with the economy stabilizing and the country moving forward.
In one of his strongest remarks, Tarar lashed out at what he described as a dangerous political mindset, saying, “Curse be upon the thinking that if Imran Khan does not exist, Pakistan should not exist.” He said any dialogue that threatened Pakistan’s integrity should be “picked up and thrown away”, adding that no political party or leader was bigger than the state. “Anyone who considers themselves above Pakistan needs to fix their mindset,” he said.
Touching on foreign policy, Tarar mentioned that any decision about a Gaza peace force would be made strictly in accordance with Palestinian rights and international law. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding support for Palestine, noting that Palestinian leadership has consistently recognized Pakistan’s role during bilateral discussions.
He also acknowledged humanitarian efforts concerning Gaza, mentioning that it would be unjust not to recognize Alkhidmat Foundation, while also crediting Jamaat-e-Islami for its contributions. Tarar said that any decisions related to Gaza would reflect the desires of both the Pakistani and Palestinian people.
These comments have sparked a renewed discussion online, particularly amidst worries over digital freedoms, political division, and Pakistan’s changing approach to social media governance and dissent.