Karachi: Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Syed Aminul Haque said consultation with Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication will be mandatory before closure of any website.

First meeting of ministerial committee on closure of Wikipedia was held under chairmanship of Aminul Haque, Minister of Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazir Tarar and Minister of Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar participated in meeting.

Haque stressed need for consultation with Ministry of IT, saying consultation will be mandatory before any website closure. He believed website closure means disconnection from digital world and socio-economic damage.

Minister said he opposed to any such initiative which paralyses process of construction and development of country, adding that awareness should be raised among people not to visit websites with immoral and religious hatred.

Tarar said that PTA authorities can seek suggestions from Ministry of Law on instructions received from any party, there is need for such amendments in law that no one can block website completely.

Naveed Qamar said that he supports opening of Wikipedia on instructions of Prime Minister.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 10 2023

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