Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday announced the creation of a Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), as well as a new Centre for Excellence to counter violent extremism.
The announcements were made during the 32nd apex committee meeting chaired by CM Murad at the Chief Minister’s House. The high-level meeting was attended by provincial ministers, security officials, and representatives from key federal and provincial departments.
The social media authority will be empowered to regulate unlawful or offensive content, enforce content standards, manage platform registration, and recommend full or partial blocking of platforms. It will also have the authority to direct concerned departments to remove harmful online content.
“This step is aimed at ensuring digital safety and protecting the rights of individuals on social media,” the chief minister stated.
The provincial government also revealed plans to establish a Centre for Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism, which will focus on research, strategy, and policy development to combat extremism.
The centre will support terror financing investigations for the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and help counter online radicalisation, hate speech, and youth delinquency.
CM Murad instructed the home secretary to present the draft legislation for the centre at the next cabinet meeting.
The chief minister also called for enhanced coordination with Punjab and Balochistan to conduct joint operations against bandits in the riverine areas.
Discussing the repatriation of illegal foreign nationals, Shah said the provincial government had completed the first phase of the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP), deporting over 85,000 undocumented individuals during 2023–24.
Transit centres for repatriation were set up in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Jacobabad under the supervision of respective deputy commissioners.
Expressing concern over the rising number of road accidents and recent arson incidents involving oil tankers and dumpers, CM Murad ordered law enforcement to strictly enforce traffic regulations and apprehend those responsible for sabotage.
