86,000 SIM Cards Blocked for Anti-State Activities, Govt Takes Steps Against Fake News

Islamabad: Parliamentary Secretary Sajid Mehdi revealed in the National Assembly on Wednesday that 86,000 SIM cards have been blocked due to their involvement in anti-state activities. He was responding to a notice raised by Member of the National Assembly Asiya Naz Tanoli concerning the spread of fake news on social media.
Sajid Mehdi informed the House that, in an effort to combat misleading information, the government had blocked the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and had taken action against the 86,000 SIM cards linked to anti-state activities.
He also stated that amendments to the Electronic Crimes Act are expected soon, aiming to make laws regarding fake news more stringent. Additionally, the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) has been restricted in an effort to curb the flow of misinformation.
The Parliamentary Secretary confirmed that, under the direction of the Prime Minister, a task force had been established to tackle the spread of fake news. Awareness campaigns are being extended to universities, colleges, and schools to educate the public on the dangers of false information.
Sajid Mehdi pointed out that, globally, combating fake news is a significant challenge, and countries often prioritize freedom of expression. However, he assured that the government is committed to minimizing the impact of fake news and is actively working on the issue.