Karachi: Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians' central spokesperson and Member of the National Assembly, Shazia Marri, emphasized the need for urgent measures to combat online violence and digital manipulation aimed at women leaders, warning of its detrimental impact on democratic participation.

According to Pakistan Peoples Party, Marri addressed these concerns at the plenary session titled "Gender, Tech and Trust: Protecting Women Leaders from Online Violence and Digital Manipulation" during the CPA Asia Regional Conference 2026. She asserted that online violence, often perceived as "virtual," carries tangible personal and political repercussions for women in public roles.

Marri highlighted that women parliamentarians, journalists, and activists frequently face fake allegations, doctored images, AI-generated content, and coordinated smear campaigns designed to silence them. Referring to a study from Pakistan's 2024 general elections, she noted that 117 cases of gender-based disinformation were recorded, with 84 specifically targeting women.

The risks faced by women journalists were also underscored, with 55 percent reporting online abuse and only 14 percent seeking help, indicating weak accountability and limited access to justice. Marri shared her own experience with a fabricated financial allegation circulated online, which she successfully challenged legally, yet the anonymity of the perpetrators and slow response from platforms hindered accountability.

Marri advocated for stronger law enforcement, expedited accountability processes, cross-party parliamentary support, and increased responsibility from technology companies. She emphasized that freedom of expression does not grant the right to defame or intimidate and stressed that technology should bolster democracy, not undermine it.