Security in Muharram in Punjab: Government decides to block social media today

The federal government is likely to decide on the Punjab government’s request to block access to social media platforms for about a week during Muharram ul Haram on security grounds, sources told Geo News on Friday. Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi will take up the matter before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today as the province wants to prevent any untoward incidents during the religious celebrations, insiders revealed.

During Muharram, processions are held across the country and religious scholars address large gatherings amid tight security, while thousands of police personnel are deployed to maintain order. The sources, however, noted that the interior minister is not in favor of blocking social media platforms. “The meeting will decide whether social media services will be banned or not.”

The Punjab government has cited the spread of hate material and misinformation as reasons for the planned suspension, The News reported on Friday. A letter from the Punjab Home Ministry said that a meeting of the Cabinet Standing Committee on Law and Order reviewed the security and administrative arrangements for Muharram.

During this meeting, it was decided to block social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram from 6 to 11 Muharram to prevent the spread of hate material and misinformation and to avert sectarian violence. The Ministry of Interior has sent a request to the Pakistan Interior Ministry seeking immediate action to ensure peace and security during this sensitive time.