Islamabad, At a seminar in Islamabad, Farhatullah Babar, the President of the PPP Human Rights Cell and former senator, emphasized the necessity of addressing the digital divide and ending digital manipulation to ensure free and fair elections. The seminar, titled ‘Digital Divide’, focused on the challenges faced by various groups in accessing digital information and the impact of digital manipulation on democratic processes.

According to Pakistan People’s Party, Babar highlighted the difficulties faced by women, students, minorities, the disabled, and transgender individuals in accessing digital spaces, leading to their disempowerment. He stressed the need to bridge this digital divide. Babar pointed out the significant role of digital manipulation in elections, citing instances from the 2016 US Presidential elections and the Brexit referendum. He noted that while political parties, extremist groups, and media organizations are visibly involved in these manipulations, there are also invisible elements at play.

The seminar addressed the Supreme Court’s description of such manipulations as ‘nebulous tactics’ by state agencies. Babar recalled instances of information manipulation, including the dissemination of fake Wikileaks reports in 2010 by mainstream media, which later required retractions and apologies for spreading false information.

Babar identified three power centers controlling information: government media, private media, and those behind ‘nebulous tactics’. He urged the Election Commission to devise a code against the manipulation of digital spaces for achieving ‘positive’ results. His proposed plan emphasized the importance of access, affordability, skills, and awareness about digital spaces as creators of wealth, education, and opportunities.

Highlighting the digital landscape’s bias against students in remote areas, Babar criticized the whimsical internet shutdowns and the state’s security-driven approach that neglects the recognition of information access as a fundamental right. He pointed out the challenges faced by women in digital spaces due to various socio-economic factors and called for a review of the PECA 2016, which he claimed had increased restrictions on information access.

Babar also mentioned the plight of journalists and activists charged under PECA for ‘anti-state’ speech, facing vague summons, non-bailable offences, and lengthy trials. He criticized the absence of a Data Protection law and the draconian nature of PECA, which exposed citizens to legal misuse. He emphasized the role of the courts in ensuring the protection of human rights during investigations and trials under PECA.

The seminar shed light on the critical need for digital inclusion and fair electoral processes in Pakistan, highlighting the challenges and proposing solutions to address the ongoing issues in the digital sphere.