Pakistani Senator Anusha Rahman Urges Global Collaboration to Protect Vulnerable Groups Online at IGF 2025
Senator Anusha Rahman, head of Pakistan’s parliamentary delegation, delivered a compelling address at the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2025, emphasizing the urgent need for international cooperation to safeguard vulnerable communities in the digital realm. Her speech focused on protecting the dignity, safety, and rights of women, girls, and children, calling for stronger enforcement frameworks and greater regional collaboration.
In her remarks, Senator Rahman reflected on her pivotal role in establishing Pakistan’s Cybercrime Law of 2016, which introduced 28 new offences and criminalized online violations of human dignity for the first time. She highlighted the challenges faced during its passage, notably opposition from commercial interests that ultimately transformed the law into a revenue-generating tool. She pointed out that such a pattern of commodifying individual dignity is a broader global issue, transcending national borders. The senator stressed that governments must assert their sovereignty and develop independent enforcement mechanisms instead of relying solely on multinational social media platforms, which often operate without regard to differing cultural and moral contexts.
A significant part of her address addressed the varied impact of digital content across regions. She warned that in Pakistan and similar regions, one defamatory post can have devastating consequences for individuals, especially women and girls, before it can be taken down. This reality underscores the need for culturally sensitive, locally nuanced digital governance policies and urgent collective actions.
On the sidelines of IGF, Senator Rahman engaged in bilateral discussions with Malaysia’s Deputy Minister for Communications, Teo Nie Ching. The talks focused on enhancing regional cooperation concerning cybersecurity, cross-border content moderation, and combating digital misinformation. Both leaders reiterated the importance of a unified regional approach to develop effective frameworks that respect differing cultural values while tackling shared digital challenges.
Addressing the broader potential and perils of digital technologies, Senator Rahman highlighted their capacity to foster knowledge, innovation, and global connectivity. However, she cautioned against their misuse for division, disinformation, and hate speech. She outlined Pakistan’s latest initiatives, including the development of an AI-powered Virtual Parliamentary Clerk to improve legislative efficiency, which exemplifies the country’s commitment to leveraging technology responsibly.
Moreover, she emphasized Pakistan’s comprehensive digital development agenda, which includes large-scale digital skills training, expansion of digital payment systems, and the establishment of incubation centers to support innovation. She also highlighted the recent enactment of the Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025, designed to create a secure, inclusive, and rights-based digital environment.
Concluding her address, Senator Rahman made a strong call for global collaboration beyond mere legislation. “Let us not merely legislate, but collaborate—across borders, regions, and systems—to protect our people and restore dignity in the digital age,” she urged. She reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to ongoing engagement with the international community, particularly in areas like digital rights, AI governance, cybersecurity, and ethical content moderation. Pakistani Ambassador to Norway Sadia Altaf was present during the session, further emphasizing Pakistan’s active role in shaping global digital governance.
The address at IGF 2025 highlights Pakistan’s proactive stance and underscores the importance of unified international efforts to create a safer, more equitable digital future for all vulnerable groups.
