Former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry calls for uniform standards against hate-mongering.

Talking to Azaad Urdu, Former Federal Minister for Information of Pakistan, Fawad Chaudhry stated that the necessity of a uniform approach in handling political criticism and hate-mongering, highlighting the challenges faced by democracies worldwide.

“While political criticism is a vital component of any democracy, hate speech under the guise of freedom of expression is unacceptable and detrimental,” he argued.

Referring to recent events in Leicester Square and northern UK, Chaudhry pointed out that no democracy should allow hate-mongering, stressing that it undermines the fabric of society.

He voiced his concerns about what he perceives as a double standard by the British government and Western countries, stating, “While the West takes steps to curb hate-mongering within their borders, they permit similar activities against Pakistan.”

Chaudhry cited former U.S. President Barack Obama’s 2013 remarks on the challenges modern governments face in dealing with the proliferation of fake information.

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He urged Western nations to adopt a single standard when addressing hate speech and misinformation, applicable both domestically and internationally.

He highlighted individuals such as Adil Raja and Haider Mehdi, who, according to Chaudhry, attempt to incite violence in Pakistan from abroad. “This is unacceptable to the people and the state of Pakistan,” he asserted, calling for the application of the same hate speech regulations to foreign entities as to their citizens.

Chaudhry concluded by reiterating that safety and freedom of expression are universal concepts and should not be confined to a single territory. He advocated for a global standard to prevent the spread of hate, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of nationality, are protected from the harms of hate speech and misinformation.

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