Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, held a meeting with representatives of Meta to deliberate on key policy priorities including youth online safety, the Personal Data Protection Bill, and broader digital safety measures. The engagement forms part of the government’s ongoing consultations with global technology platforms to strengthen regulatory cooperation and ensure that Pakistan’s evolving digital framework aligns with international best practices while safeguarding local users.
According to officials, discussions centred on enhancing protective mechanisms for young users, improving content moderation frameworks, and ensuring greater accountability within digital platforms operating in the country. The Personal Data Protection Bill was also reviewed in the context of building a comprehensive legal structure to regulate the collection, processing, and storage of citizens’ data. The minister emphasised the importance of a balanced approach that supports innovation and digital growth while embedding privacy safeguards and responsible data governance within the ecosystem.
The meeting also explored avenues for structured regulatory collaboration between the government and technology companies to address emerging risks linked to online platforms, including harmful content exposure and misuse of personal information. Strengthening institutional coordination and encouraging platform level compliance with national standards were identified as essential steps in reinforcing trust in digital services.
Protecting users, particularly young people, remains central to the government’s broader Digital Pakistan agenda. Officials reiterated that sustained engagement with global technology stakeholders will be critical to building a secure, responsible, and inclusive digital environment that supports economic participation while prioritising citizen safety.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.