Islamabad: The Pakistan National Assembly Secretariat has banned the entry of YouTubers, TikTokers and other social media influencers into its premises, ARY News reported. The decision has been taken following an incident of misbehavior with MPs by some unauthorized YouTuber/social media influencers at Gate No. 1 of Parliament House on December 23 last year, reports ARY News. In addition, the Pakistan National Assembly Secretariat has decided to allow the entry of reporters, journalists and media personnel associated with recognized media organizations with valid registration cards of the concerned media organization. As per news reports, social media influencers who wish to cover the proceedings of the National Assembly need to accredit themselves with PID and have a valid session card to enter the Parliament House. The Press Reporters Association was informed about the incident, Dawn reported.
However, the Press Reporters Association has distanced itself from YouTubers and social media influencers, insisting that they are only responsible for its members. Press Reporters Association general secretary Asif Bashir Chowdhury said they do not support any kind of restrictions on citizen journalists, Dawn reported. Chaudhry stressed that the PRA believes that every citizen of Pakistan has a right to freedom, not just journalists.
ARY News reported that earlier in April last year, Karachi police had arrested police personnel in police uniform in New Karachi Industrial Area who were carrying fake employment cards. The fake cops were identified after the suspect was stopped for snap-checking. According to the report of ARY News, the police found in the investigation that all the people were TikTokers and were moving around in police uniform to record videos for social media.
Those arrested in this case include Umesh, Usma and Mehdi. The accused persons had also affixed Sindh Police number plates on their motorcycles and were also carrying fake police cards. According to the police, they used to record videos in the college and in the area.