LAHORE:The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution seeking effective legal restrictions on social media accounts of children under the age of 16.
The resolution was moved by MPA Sara Ahmad on Private Members’ Day and was passed unanimously by the House. It called for an effective and coordinated mechanism between federal and provincial institutions, along with appropriate legislation, to ensure the online safety and protection of children. The resolution stated that the use of social media was exposing children to serious risks, including cyberbullying, online sexual exploitation, inappropriate content, psychological stress and other harmful consequences. It noted that countries, including Australia, France, China and several states in the United States had introduced laws and regulations concerning social media use by minors. The resolution called for stronger legal and institutional measures to protect children from the growing risks associated with social media platforms.
Meanwhile, PAspeaker stopped the government member Ahmed Iqbal from introducing the Punjab Waste and Sanitation Workers’ Dignity, Safety, Security and Welfare Bill 2026 in the House. Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan deferred the bill, directing the mover to consult the government on the proposed legislation, discuss all its details and examine its financial implications before bringing it before the House again.
‘If the government wants to adopt this bill, I will be pleased,’ said Ahmed Iqbal. ‘I want this bill not to be overlooked. If it is a bill involving financial implications, then obviously the government will have to introduce it. I do not want this bill to be ignored for any reason,’ the speaker said. The speaker directed Khalid Ranjha to sit with Ahmed Iqbal tomorrow or the day after and work on the bill. Moreover, the House passed a resolution seeking religious education and examinations for minority prisoners and sentence remission, according to law, for those who successfully complete their religious studies.
The resolution was moved by government member Rahila Khadim Hussain (MPA, W-304). It stated that under Rule 215 of the Punjab Prison Rules, 1978, prisoners can receive remission in their sentences on the basis of religious education. Official data showed that around 2,558 Muslim prisoners benefited from the facility between 2020 and 2025 after completing religious education. The resolution noted that around 1,624 minority prisoners are currently in Punjab jails and called for the system to be made operational for them without discrimination. It demanded equal opportunities for Christian, Hindu, Sikh and other minority prisoners to study their respective religious curricula, appear in examinations and receive sentence remission upon passing, as provided by law.
