The Punjab Government banned social media due to procession from July 13 to 18!
The Punjab Government banned social media due to procession from July 13 to 18! according to a notice from the Interior Ministry on Thursday.
Ban Proposal:
The proposed ban is related to the religious parade taken out by the country’s minority Shia Muslims on the occasion of Ashura, the days of mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. The 10th of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is considered the holiest event by Shia Muslims, who annually commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet of Islam, in the Battle of Karbala.
The ministry recommended the proposal on grounds of potential violence and “security concerns.” The recommendations by the ministry also stated that the standing committee on law and order has in its meeting affirmed that:
In order to control hateful content/misinformation and prevent communal violence, social media platforms ie Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Tik Tok etc. are suspended throughout the province of Punjab from 06 to 11 Muharram 2024. will be given.
Government order :
Pakistan’s ruling government has banned X (formerly Twitter) from 17 February 2024 due to “national security concerns”. The ban has been criticized as a restriction on freedom of speech and expression, particularly in the run-up to the country’s national elections in February. Citizens and rights groups have called the ban a violation of an individual’s free speech rights amid allegations of election rigging against the ruling government, while the country’s main opposition leader and former prime minister Imran Khan remains behind bars.
The government’s ban on X was previously overturned by the Sindh High Court. The government cited national security concerns as well as X’s non-compliance with the Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content (Procedure, Oversight, and Safeguards) Rules 2021 (RBUOC Rules) in its response to the court. The decision Nawaz Sharif government has would not remark on the charges up to this point and the restriction on X go on the nation over.
LAHORE:
The Punjab government has requested the interior ministry to block social media apps on the internet from 6 to 11 Muharram to control the spread of hateful content and misinformation to avoid communal violence.
After receiving reports that “external forces,” including elements from across the border, were involved in the sharing of hate content and memes, sources close to the situation claimed that the provincial government had decided to go beyond the routine measures of internet suspension and mobile jamming during Ashura.
Video recordings
In another unprecedented move, the Punjab government decided to digitally record the speeches of the Zakirs and make them available to the government.
In the meeting attended by all four provincial ministers, home secretary, commissioners and RPOs, it was agreed that some zakirs video record their Muharram speeches for release on digital media platforms but this time every zakir The speech will be recorded and provided to the concerned police station.
“The Standing Committee of the Cabinet has for the first time directed the management of all the Majlis across the province to compulsorily record the speeches and submit the digital copy of the speeches to the respective police stations,” a source told Dawn.
The home department has also asked the IG police to suggest areas where internet suspension and mobile jamming are required.
Interior Secretary Nurul Amin Mengal had earlier briefed the Standing Committee about the measures and SOPs taken to ensure peace during Muharram.
In conclusion :
The Punjab Ministry’s proposed ban on social media from July 13 to 18 indicates the government’s proactive approach to mitigating potential security threats during Ashura. The period holds significant religious significance for Shia Muslims, and the ban is intended to prevent the spread of hateful content and misinformation that could incite sectarian violence. Previous government actions, such as the ongoing ban on X (formerly Twitter) and enhanced digital surveillance measures, reflect a broader strategy to maintain peace and security amid sensitive religious festivals. These efforts highlight the delicate balance between security concerns and freedom of expression in the face of potential external and internal threats.