ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Wednesday ruled out any curbs on the freedom of expression, insisting that no bill against the rights guaranteed by the Constitution would be passed.

The remarks came a day after reports that the federal government had approved an amendment to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) act, empowering it to act against anyone who intends to spread “rumours and false information against state institutions” on social media.

The minister told reporters in Islamabad that the bill would be passed only if consensus was evolved.

He said the government would hold consultations with stakeholders, including the media, about the proposed amendment to the law to provide for seven-year imprisonment for those spreading hateful content on social media.

The minister said that if the amendment led to restrictions on people’s freedom of expression, the government would withdraw the bill. “There are certain things on social media that need to be controlled,” Mr Sanaullah said, adding that social media platforms were being used to harm and affect people’s private lives.

Says govt will consult media, other stakeholders on FIA-related social media amendment

He said it was an important issue and the government hoped the amendment would not create hurdles in the way of people’s right to freedom of expression. He said there would be a discussion in parliament on the idea of empowering the FIA to try the accused in the offence.

To a question, he said that doors remained open for negotiations with the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), noting that one never closed doors for talks in politics. In the same breath, however, he said talks were held between politicians, and PTI chief Imran Khan was not one of them.

“What [Mr Khan] has been doing is not what politicians do,” the minister said, adding that informal talks with PTI leaders never ended, but there were no formal talks going on at the moment.

“The PTI recently sought permission from Islamabad’s district administration for its long march. This is also a form of contact,” Mr Sanaullah said, explaining that such contacts could not be described as formal.

Asked about whether the government would allow PTI’s long march to enter Islamabad, he said the party had already approached the court over the matter and that it was now under judicial consideration.

“The top courts have defined the parameters [for staging demonstrations in the federal capital]. If they [the PTI] submit a surety to observe those parameters to the court, permission will be given to them,” the interior minister said.

To a question about why the negotiations were derailed in the first place, he explained that a politician never turned down an opportunity for talks.

“But whenever the government spoke about negotiations, all it got in return was abuses. That’s why the government has taken the stance that we will not go for negotiations,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2022