Digital platforms need take Pakistan's 'specific circumstances' into account, minister tells Google delegation

Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry on Wednesday told a delegation from Google that digital platforms would have to take the country’s “specific circumstances” into account.

According to the interior ministry, Chaudhry met a delegation from the tech giant led by Senior Director David Weller. Google Pakistan’s representative Kyle Gardner was also part of the delegation.

It said the meeting covered digital security, the effective use of social media against terrorism, the timely regulation of online content and mutual cooperation.

“Pakistan wishes to further enhance cooperation and coordination with Google for a safe and peaceful digital environment,” Chaudhry was quoted as saying.

He said that Pakistan’s geographical location was “different from other countries”.

“Digital platforms will have to take into account the specific circumstances of Pakistan,” he said, adding that terrorists used social media to spread fear and promote terrorism.

“Given the circumstances in Pakistan, proactive monitoring of social media is essential,” he said.

Meanwhile, Weller assured the minister that the company would cooperate with Islamabad to create a safe digital environment.

National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency Director General Khurram Ali, Ministry of Interior Joint Secretary Malik Sanaullah and members of the Social Media Protection and Regulation Authority were also present.

The meeting comes a day after the US-based technology giant inaugurated its local office in Pakistan at a ceremony held at the Prime Minister’s House.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said there was “great scope” for a fruitful partnership with Google and for strengthening bilateral ties in various areas.

Google’s Global Affairs Vice President Wilson L. White had described his visit as a “big milestone”.

“Google has been investing in and committed to Pakistan for over a decade, and today we have reached a milestone where we are opening a local office in Pakistan,” White said.

‘Google office opening to strengthen talent pipeline’

Meanwhile, Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the opening of Google’s office in Pakistan would strengthen the country’s talent pipeline and provide further support to the local technology ecosystem.

Talking to media, she said the presence of Google and other major international technology companies in Pakistan would encourage more global firms to establish operations in the country.

She added that Pakistan’s IT exports had grown consistently by around 20 per cent over the past two and a half years, reflecting growth in the private sector. The country’s freelancing economy had also exceeded $1 billion this year, she said.

Khawaja also highlighted the government’s “whole-of-government” approach and the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

She said the efforts of the SIFC, the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication and its departments had contributed to the establishment of Google’s office in Pakistan.

“This is a collective collaboration and teamwork that made it possible for Google’s office to open in Pakistan today,” she said.

Additional input from APP