A regional body that represents the interests of global social media giants in the South Asian region has baulked at the recent laws passed in Pakistan which regulate social media and data storage.
United under the banner of Asia Internet Coalition (AIC), they expressed serious concerns over the Personal Data Protection Bill, E-safety Authority Bill, proposed amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, and the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguard) Rules, and called for taking stakeholders on board while framing such legislation.
AIC Managing Director Baire Jeff Paine wrote to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advising that such rule changes amidst the nation's prevailing economic challenges were perhaps less than prudent.
"It is imperative that economic recovery, policy certainty, and predictability be prioritised to foster investor trust and commitment to Pakistan," he wrote.
Paine stated that AIC members - which include tech giants such as Google, Meta, Yahoo, Spotify, Amazon, Apple, Line, Booking, Expedia, and LinkedIn, among others - have found cause for significant concern in the "opaque process" through which these laws were set to be passed in Pakistan.
The association noted that coalition government members - particularly the ministers of foreign affairs, law and information technology and the special assistant to the prime minister - had given reassurances that extensive and broad-based consultation would be undertaken for the laws. However, the coalition claimed that this promise by the government had failed to materialise, "leaving us deeply alarmed".
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"Despite promises of forward-looking governance and willingness to address stakeholders' concerns, the actual consultation process has proven neither credible nor transparent," Paine complained.
"This has completely eroded investor trust as they grapple with significant legislative uncertainty," he claimed.
The AIC also raised concerns over the speed with which these legislations were rushed through Parliament. This rush, the letter stated, was causing "international companies to re-evaluate their willingness to operate in the country."
The association stressed the potential of multi-stakeholder dialogue to shape policies and legislation to foster innovation and technological advancement.
However, it warned that the proposed legislation would "severely cripple the growth of Pakistan's digital economy".
"AIC Members recognise Pakistan's strong potential, but this sudden announcement belies the government of Pakistan's claims that it is open for business and investment," the letter stated, warning that the proposed legislations and rules in their current format would make it "difficult for AIC Members to make their services available to Pakistani users and businesses."
The letter stated how these laws could put Pakistan at risk of becoming a "global outlier" and "needlessly isolating and depriving Pakistani users and businesses from the growth potential of the internet economy".
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The coalition, however, clarified that it was not against regulation but stressed that they believe legislation must address "crucial issues such as internationally recognised rights to privacy and individual expression".
Appealing to PM Shehbaz Sharif's vision of building a dynamic digital economic ecosystem in Pakistan, the coalition called on the government to "collaborate with the industry in establishing practical and transparent regulations that preserve the advantages of the internet while balancing the interest of the country."
The coalition and its members stated they have consistently offered Islamabad to engage in this partnership and reiterated their unwavering commitment to this endeavour.
"Together, we can foster an environment that
encourages innovation, investment, and progress in the digital landscape, benefitting both the nation and its citizens."
United under the banner of Asia Internet Coalition (AIC), they expressed serious concerns over the Personal Data Protection Bill, E-safety Authority Bill, proposed amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, and the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight and Safeguard) Rules, and called for taking stakeholders on board while framing such legislation.
AIC Managing Director Baire Jeff Paine wrote to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advising that such rule changes amidst the nation's prevailing economic challenges were perhaps less than prudent.
"It is imperative that economic recovery, policy certainty, and predictability be prioritised to foster investor trust and commitment to Pakistan," he wrote.
Paine stated that AIC members - which include tech giants such as Google, Meta, Yahoo, Spotify, Amazon, Apple, Line, Booking, Expedia, and LinkedIn, among others - have found cause for significant concern in the "opaque process" through which these laws were set to be passed in Pakistan.
The association noted that coalition government members - particularly the ministers of foreign affairs, law and information technology and the special assistant to the prime minister - had given reassurances that extensive and broad-based consultation would be undertaken for the laws. However, the coalition claimed that this promise by the government had failed to materialise, "leaving us deeply alarmed".
READ MORE: Govt’s Violent Extremism Bill Raises More Questions Than It Answers
"Despite promises of forward-looking governance and willingness to address stakeholders' concerns, the actual consultation process has proven neither credible nor transparent," Paine complained.
"This has completely eroded investor trust as they grapple with significant legislative uncertainty," he claimed.
The AIC also raised concerns over the speed with which these legislations were rushed through Parliament. This rush, the letter stated, was causing "international companies to re-evaluate their willingness to operate in the country."
The association stressed the potential of multi-stakeholder dialogue to shape policies and legislation to foster innovation and technological advancement.
However, it warned that the proposed legislation would "severely cripple the growth of Pakistan's digital economy".
"AIC Members recognise Pakistan's strong potential, but this sudden announcement belies the government of Pakistan's claims that it is open for business and investment," the letter stated, warning that the proposed legislations and rules in their current format would make it "difficult for AIC Members to make their services available to Pakistani users and businesses."
The letter stated how these laws could put Pakistan at risk of becoming a "global outlier" and "needlessly isolating and depriving Pakistani users and businesses from the growth potential of the internet economy".
READ MORE: Tyranny And Aggression: All In The Name Of Democracy
The coalition, however, clarified that it was not against regulation but stressed that they believe legislation must address "crucial issues such as internationally recognised rights to privacy and individual expression".
Appealing to PM Shehbaz Sharif's vision of building a dynamic digital economic ecosystem in Pakistan, the coalition called on the government to "collaborate with the industry in establishing practical and transparent regulations that preserve the advantages of the internet while balancing the interest of the country."
The coalition and its members stated they have consistently offered Islamabad to engage in this partnership and reiterated their unwavering commitment to this endeavour.
"Together, we can foster an environment that
encourages innovation, investment, and progress in the digital landscape, benefitting both the nation and its citizens."