The Punjab government has established a dedicated Digital Media Cell within the Home Department to monitor and prevent the spread of sectarian, violent, and hate-related content across social media platforms during Muharram-ul-Haram.
The initiative is part of the province’s broader security strategy aimed at maintaining peace, ensuring law and order, and promoting religious harmony during the holy month. Authorities say the newly formed unit will operate around the clock to identify and respond to inflammatory online material.
During a visit to the Digital Media Cell, the Punjab Chief Secretary reviewed the live cyber monitoring system and instructed officials to take immediate legal action against individuals and social media accounts found spreading provocative or sectarian content.
Officials emphasized that preserving peace during Muharram is a shared national responsibility and warned that no tolerance would be shown toward those attempting to incite religious tensions through digital platforms.
Secretary Home Dr. Ahmad Javed Qazi briefed senior officials on the province’s comprehensive security arrangements, revealing that security plans have been finalized for 37,868 Majalis and 9,412 processions across Punjab.
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To support these efforts, more than 125,000 police personnel have been deployed, alongside 61 companies of the Pakistan Army and 76 companies of Rangers to ensure public safety throughout the province.
According to the Home Department, over 16,000 social media accounts containing objectionable or hate-related content have already been reported to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for blocking. In addition, restrictions have been imposed on 1,418 individuals identified as provocative speakers, while speaking bans have been enforced on 794 others. Authorities are also closely monitoring 2,505 individuals listed under the Fourth Schedule.
The Digital Media Cell has activated a real-time reporting and response system, enabling swift legal action against harmful online content. Citizens have also been encouraged to report sectarian or inflammatory posts through the Home Department’s dedicated WhatsApp helplines, helping authorities maintain peace and stability during Muharram.
The Punjab government believes that public cooperation, combined with advanced cyber monitoring, will play a key role in preventing the spread of hate speech and safeguarding communal harmony across the province.
