On Tuesday, February 15th, 2022, representatives from Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, met with the National Social Media Coordination Working Group (NSMCWG) in Islamabad to discuss Meta’s initiatives to support the government’s digital transformation.
Mr. Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan, established the NSMCWG in October 2021 to streamline engagement with digital platforms and work on relevant social media policies. The working group is also aiming to encourage digital platforms to invest in Pakistan.
Meta representatives briefed the government on their initiatives that contribute to digital literacy, inclusion, and enablement during their first meeting with the working group.
They also discussed future collaborative efforts in connectivity, tools and systems for removing harmful content, compliance with local laws, rules, and regulatory framework, and ways to support local content creators.
The NSMCWG expressed its concern about the effective and timely moderation of harmful and illegal content across Meta platforms. Both parties expressed a willingness to continue working together to improve mechanics and collaborate on content moderation and compliance with local laws.
Members of the NSMCWG praised Meta’s future plans for increased visibility on Pakistan’s digital map.
Meta and the working group also agreed to investigate the possibility of establishing a Community Lab in Pakistan in collaboration with academia, incubation centers, startups, and telecom service providers.
The lab will provide a platform for the development and testing of innovative technology solutions to aid in the growth of Pakistan’s connectivity ecosystem.
The formation of the working group, according to Sarim Aziz, Meta’s Head of Public Policy, South Asia, has made it easier for digital platforms to engage with government stakeholders, share insights and concerns, and respond to needs on the ground.
“We share the Government of Pakistan’s vision of building a sustainable digital economy in Pakistan through thoughtful investments in connectivity infrastructure and digital upskilling programs to unlock economic growth at scale.
This is the first of many discussions and we are committed to working with the government to ensure that online spaces remain safe, free, and accessible to everyone in Pakistan.”
The NSMCWG reported that this was a fruitful first conversation with Meta, and the Working Group will continue to advocate for digital investments that will power long-term economic development.
“We are encouraged that Meta is not only invested in local connectivity efforts, it is also exploring different ways for Pakistani businesses and creators to generate meaningful, reliable revenue on their platforms and is committed to opening up new opportunities in the future.”
This is the first meeting that will lay the groundwork for multiple engagements between the Government of Pakistan and Meta, as the two parties commit to improving digital connectivity and inclusion across the country.
To read our blog on “Google’s recent privacy changes could harm Facebook’s parent company Meta,” click here.
