The Punjab government in Pakistan is set to implement a ban on all major social media platforms—YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok—from July 13 to 18. This measure is being taken to mitigate the spread of “hate material” during the Islamic month of Muharram.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s cabinet committee on law and order has issued a notification recommending the suspension of these platforms from the 6th to the 11th day of Muharram to “control hate material, misinformation to avoid sectarian violence.” The province, home to over 120 million people, has made this request to Shehbaz Sharif’s central government to enact the suspension.
According to reports from Dawn News, the decision extends beyond typical internet suspensions and mobile jamming measures during Ashura, prompted by reports of external involvement in spreading hate content from across the border.
Initially, the Punjab government considered restricting access to social media apps specifically on the 9th and 10th days of Muharram—a period of significant religious observance for Shia Muslims, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain. The heightened importance of the first ten days culminates in processions on the tenth day.
Cabinet Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani conveyed that the recommendation to shut down social media aims to prevent the escalation of conflicts from individual disputes into sectarian strife. He emphasized that the proliferation of hate content on platforms, especially Facebook and others, during Muharram exacerbates tensions and disrupts the peace.
General Asim Munir, Chief of Pakistan Army, has criticized social media as a “vicious media,” highlighting the necessity to combat “digital terrorism.” Additionally, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who also serves as the foreign minister, has advocated for a total ban on social media. This stance follows the temporary closure of a platform last February after allegations that the Election Commission manipulated election results to prevent Imran Khan’s return to power, leading to widespread criticism of both the military and government since Khan’s ouster in April 2022.
Following these events, numerous social media activists from Khan’s party have been arrested.
