THE Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has once again banned TikTok in Pakistan in line with the verdict of the Peshawar High Court, which looks like a rather harsh decision in the times we are living in.

While TikTok immediately issued a statement to the effect that its main objective was to let the users express their talents on the platform, Minister of Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry expressed his sorrow that the national industrial and technology sectors had always been at the receiving end of official policies and decisions.

In the modern era, it is a really debatable decision to ban or even devalue online services. TikTok has to take the brunt of such official actions time and again due to being a fun-oriented platform with little informative value.

Having said that, a large number of individuals, including teenagers, youths and adults from both genders, have been able to earn decent incomes for themselves while enjoying the adoration of millions of their fans and followers.

The government should take appropriate decisions and provide them with more opportunities to show their talents instead of banning useful applications. It would be an extraordinary step for the development of the country. The PTA and other relevant authorities must do everything to convince the courts to overturn the decision and make such applications available to the people.

Zaib Baloch

Lahore

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2021