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Interior Ministry Defers Decision on Social Media Suspension During Muharram
Interior Ministry defers decision on Punjab's request to suspend social media during Muharram. PM Shehbaz Sharif to make the final call.
ND
by News Desk
2024-07-06
Interior Ministry Defers Decision on Social Media Suspension During Muharram

The Ministry of Interior has deferred its decision regarding the Punjab government's request to suspend six social media platforms for about a week during Muharram. The final decision will be made by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to a statement issued by the ministry on Friday.

 

The statement clarified that the requests from the provinces had "neither been rejected nor accepted." While it did not specify which provinces other than Punjab had made similar requests, it confirmed that Punjab was not alone in seeking this measure.

 

An official had earlier told Dawn that instead of blocking access to social media platforms, there would be foolproof security arrangements. However, he hinted that cellular services might be suspended in some cities for a few hours on the 9th and 10th of Muharram.

 

The Punjab government had asked the federal government to suspend access to social media from the 6th to the 11th of Muharram to control the spread of misinformation and hate material, thereby preventing sectarian violence. This request was based on intelligence reports suggesting potential disruptions to peace in some areas.

 

The provincial home department had written a letter to the interior ministry after a meeting, recommending the suspension of "social media applications Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, X, TikTok, etc. across the province from Muharram 6 to 11 to control hate material, misinformation and to avoid sectarian violence."

 

Sources indicated that the Punjab government had initially planned for a two-day social media suspension but decided on more stringent measures based on further intelligence reports.

 

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was not available for comment despite repeated attempts.
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