Islamabad – Senators on Friday highlighted the need to monitor social media use by children under 18, proposing the formation of a special committee to develop safeguards in consultation with relevant ministries. The discussion arose from a calling-attention notice submitted by Senators Falak Naz, Fawzia Arshad, Aimal Wali Khan, Saadia Abbasi, and Dilawar Khan.
Presiding over the sitting, Senator Sherry Rehman suggested creating a committee comprising representatives from the ministries of information technology, interior, education, and law, along with parliamentary parties and provincial governments, while the final decision would rest with Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani. Senator Falak Naz emphasized that most platforms were designed for adults and warned that children’s exposure to inappropriate content could lead to harassment, exploitation, and harmful trends, citing the 2025 killing of 17-year-old TikToker Sana Yousaf as a tragic example.
Senators called for a comprehensive legal framework, mandatory age verification, parental supervision, and restrictions on the use of platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and VPNs for minors. Senator Fawzia Arshad stressed the need for counselling in educational institutions to guide children and discourage harmful online behavior, highlighting that the ages between 16 and 18 are particularly vulnerable. She also noted that civics and moral development were insufficiently covered in the curriculum.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry described social media safety for minors as a national issue requiring coordination among the IT, education, and interior ministries. He called for engagement with law enforcement and cybercrime institutions, including the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and stressed the importance of curriculum changes and appropriate restrictions in line with international practices. Senator Sherry Rehman referenced Australia’s legislation restricting social media use for children under 16, noting that while she did not support blanket bans, the Senate should consider all aspects carefully.
Separately, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) senators raised concerns over continued restrictions on meetings with the party’s founder, former Prime Minister Imran Khan. PTI parliamentary leader Senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar alleged that Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, had been kept in solitary confinement for two months, describing it as a violation of constitutional and international human rights. He criticized jail authorities for limiting meetings and said legal counsel had been denied access, undermining the right to legal defense.
Law and Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar responded by noting that the jail superintendent had the authority to schedule meetings based on conduct and clarified that Adiala Jail fell under Punjab government jurisdiction. He denied claims of solitary confinement, stating that the federal government had no authority over such matters.
The Senate also discussed environmental concerns, with Senators Naz and Sherry Rehman raising the issue of illegal tree cutting in Chitral. They highlighted the ongoing deforestation and emphasized that the matter would be reviewed by the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, while noting that forestry remains a provincial subject with potential federal intervention through communication with provincial authorities.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
