Stakeholders call for safer, inclusive digital spaces at HomeNet Pakistan dialogue

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Apr, 2026) The HomeNet Pakistan (HNP) hosted a roundtable dialogue urging stronger safeguards for digital expression, media literacy, and accountability, particularly for women, youth, and marginalised communities, amid growing concerns over online harassment and regulatory challenges, according to a press release, issued here on Thursday.

The session, held at HNP’s Lahore office, brought together journalists, editors, media analysts, and civil society representatives to deliberate on the theme 'Defending Digital Expression: Strengthening Freedom of Expression, Media Literacy, and Accountability for Women, Youth and Marginalised Communities in Pakistan'.

In her opening remarks, HNP representative Humera Aslam outlined the need to enhance awareness of digital rights, ethical journalism, and media literacy, with a particular focus on implications of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). She stressed the importance of promoting safe, inclusive, and gender-sensitive digital spaces.

Speaking on the occasion, Ume Laila Azhar, Executive Director of HomeNet Pakistan, and Member (Punjab) National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), highlighted the expanding role of digital platforms in awareness, civic engagement, and economic participation, especially for informal workers. She pointed to gaps in political and digital literacy and called for evidence-based policymaking to address challenges faced by marginalised groups.

While acknowledging concerns surrounding PECA, she underscored the urgency of tackling digital violence and online harassment, advocating stronger institutional capacity, improved accountability mechanisms, and constructive engagement between the state and civil society to protect freedom of expression while ensuring responsible online conduct.

Participants raised concerns about the gendered nature of digital spaces, noting that women face disproportionately higher levels of online harassment and are less likely to report such incidents. Questions were also raised regarding whether PECA adequately distinguishes between cybercrime and technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

Civil society representatives, including Chaudhry Ishtiaq and Javed Gill, stressed the need for legal awareness and digital safety education, particularly for women. Referring to Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan, participants reaffirmed freedom of expression as a fundamental right while highlighting the importance of understanding legal frameworks governing online spaces.

The dialogue also underscored the role of responsible journalism in promoting ethical reporting, avoiding victim-blaming, and ensuring fact-based coverage to safeguard democratic values and human rights.

Discussions further covered digital inclusion, content creation, media responsibility, and challenges faced by independent journalism in an evolving regulatory environment. Participants stressed the need for equitable digital participation and rights protection for home-based workers, informal labourers, and rural women.

The HNP shared its community-based grievance redress mechanisms and ongoing initiatives aimed at promoting rights-based digital engagement for marginalised groups.

Concluding the session, Ms. Aslam thanked participants, noting that the dialogue helped identify key regulatory and social challenges while fostering consensus on the need for continued engagement.

The participants agreed to sustain dialogue on digital regulation, media freedom, and accountability to advance a balanced and rights-based digital ecosystem in Pakistan.