Islamabad – More than 350 social media activists from across Pakistan joined hands on Saturday to counter anti-Pakistani propaganda and forge related strategies, at the grand Social media Summit organised by AlphaPro, a renowned digital media solutions and event management company.
China’s Deputy Head of Mission in Pakistan Lijian Zhao chaired the event as Chief Guest, attended by senior officials of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, Pakistan Software Export Board, leading software houses, top representatives of corporate groups, noted digital media experts, social media activists, media persons, celebrities and people from different cross sections of the society.
“Over the last few years, social media has globally emerged as one of the most powerful opinion making tools where ordinary public has the leverage to make their presence felt and voice heard. Like rest of the world, social media in Pakistan too plays a vital role in shaping ideas and reshaping public opinion, the chief guest said while sharing views during the occasion.
“I am glad that a serious effort has been made to sensitise the public about the positive use of social media particularly at a time when certain elements are out to misuse social media against remarkable initiatives China and Pakistan have launched to bring prosperity and progress in the region including China Pakistan Economic Corridor-CPEC,” he said.
Mr Zhao highlighted in detail the importance of CPEC and stressed upon the need to counter anti-CPEC propaganda on social media.
Speaking on the occasion, Managing Director AlphaPro Adeel Ayub said “Recognising the importance of social media, the Social Media Summit aims at preventing the misuse of this worldwide phenomenon in addition to providing great learning opportunities for people interested in digital media marketing and to promote networking for the people related to social media.”
Eminent physician and cancer researcher Dr Noor-e-Alam Kizilbash (Sitara-e-Imtiaz) was the Guest of Honour at the Social Media Summit which featured Pakistan Social Media Icon Awards to honour the achievements of social media activists in Pakistan.
During the occasion, social media activists and other noted personalities delivered speeches, held interactive sessions and panel discussions backed by videographic presentations to discuss important issues including social media marketing strategies, role of open source in developing youth in Pakistan, role of social media in women empowerment and relevant subjects of digital interest.
The eminent personalities who actively participated in the Summit included Dr Moeed Pirzada, Mr Jan Achakzai, Mashal Malik, Ahmad Qureshi, Ms Mahrukh Fahad Qureshi and and a number of renowned digital media strategists, entrepreneurs and corporate executives to bring to spotlight the role of social media in Pakistan.
