ISLAMABAD (APP) – The introduction of mobile broadband coupled with influx of affordable smartphones have spurred the growth of social media users in Pakistan, which now has over two million user accounts.
There are more than 2.1 billion active social media accounts in the world i.e 29 % of entire world population.
People turn towards social media to voice their opinions, experiences, suggestions and feedback on any topic or constituent of the society.
Social media has been gaining ground among Pakistanis especially use of Facebook, Twitter, Skype, and Instagram. Among these popular social media platforms, Facebook is by far the most widely used.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), in its report has said that social media is not just a communication platform but it has enabled companies and individuals to establish an online presence.
It is now the norm for every business, celebrity, institute, media outlet and even the government to create and operate accounts on popular social media sites/apps.
Public engagement and open interaction with the masses is the new trend in government circles around the world. Federal and state governments, various regulatory authorities, public relations offices, civil governments, and political parties make use of Whatsapp, Twitter and Facebook to make announcements, deliver messages and get feedback directly from the public.
The PTA report also identified barriers to more widespread use of social media in Pakistan, including low internet penetration, lack of local content and language barriers. The report called for collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors to overcome these barriers.
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