CS Orders Swift Legal Action Against Accounts Spreading Sectarian Hatred

Home Department Sets Up Digital Media Cell to Curb Online Hate Content During Muharram

By Muhammad Shahzad | Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: The Punjab government has established a dedicated Digital Media Cell within the Home Department to monitor and curb the spread of sectarian, violent, and hate-related content on social media during Muharram-ul-Haram. The initiative forms part of enhanced security measures aimed at maintaining law and order and promoting religious harmony across the province.

Chief Secretary Punjab visited the newly established facility and reviewed its live cyber-patrolling system. During the visit, he said maintaining peace during Muharram was a collective national responsibility and directed authorities to ensure immediate legal action against individuals and social media accounts involved in spreading religious hatred or provocative content.

He emphasized that there should be no delay in taking action against those attempting to incite sectarian tensions through online platforms.

Secretary Home Punjab, Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi, briefed the Chief Secretary on the province’s security and cyber-monitoring arrangements for Muharram. He informed him that comprehensive security plans had been finalized for 37,868 religious gatherings (Majalis) and 9,412 processions across Punjab.

According to the briefing, more than 125,000 police personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order during Muharram. In addition, 61 companies of the Pakistan Army and 76 companies of Rangers have been stationed in various districts to support security operations.

Dr. Qazi stated that authorities had so far reported more than 16,000 objectionable social media accounts to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for blocking due to content linked to sectarian hatred and threats to public order.

He further noted that, as part of preventive measures, movement restrictions had been imposed on 1,418 individuals identified as provocative speakers, while speaking bans had been enforced on 794 others. Additionally, 2,505 individuals placed on the Fourth Schedule are being closely monitored to ensure public safety.

The Secretary Home said the Digital Media Cell is operating round the clock and has activated a real-time monitoring and reporting system to identify objectionable online content and facilitate prompt legal action.

He also appealed to the public to cooperate with authorities by reporting any sectarian, hateful, or inflammatory material circulating on social media through the Home Department’s dedicated WhatsApp helplines: 0307-3087777 and 0307-3097777. He said public cooperation would help ensure timely intervention and contribute to maintaining peace and harmony during Muharram-ul-Haram.