Punjab government seeks ban on social media platforms during Muharram from Muharram 6 to 11 2024.

Muharram: Punjab government requests to suspend social media platforms

ISLAMABAD: Federal government has rejected the requests of provincial governments to suspend social media platforms during Muharram Ul Haram, from Muharram 6 to 11 2024.

The provincial governments sought to ban six social media platforms - Whatsapp, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter (X) and YouTube for six days.

The Punjab government requested the suspension of social media platforms for a few days of Muharram to avoid violence, spread of hate speech and misinformation.

The provincial Home Department wrote a letter to the interior ministry’s secretary to request the suspension of social media across the entire province to prevent violence.

According to Punjab Home Department and Standing Committee of Cabinet on Law and Order (SCCLO), the propagation of hatred speech and violence is mostly through social media.

Federal government has confirmed that the social media platforms will not be shutdown, adding the security will be effective during the Holy month.