New Delhi: Pakistan’s Punjab province, the country’s most populous with over 120 million residents, has proposed a six-day ban on all social media platforms during the upcoming Islamic holy month of Ramadan. This move aims to curb the spread of “hate material” and misinformation that could potentially lead to sectarian violence.
The proposed ban, which would run from July 13th to 18th, targets major platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The recommendation comes from the cabinet committee on law and order led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
This proposal follows a four-month-long block on X (formerly Twitter) earlier this year, implemented by the federal government. Pakistan’s military leadership has been vocal about its concerns regarding social media, with Army Chief General Asim Munir labeling it a “vicious media” and advocating for measures to combat “digital terrorism.” Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has also previously expressed support for a complete ban on social media.
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The government’s justification for the proposed ban centers on maintaining peace and order during Ramadan. However, the move has raised concerns about freedom of expression and internet access. Critics point out that the recent social media restrictions, including the X ban, coincided with the ousting of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf through a no-confidence vote in April 2022. The military and the government have faced criticism online since then, leading to accusations that the social media restrictions are politically motivated.
The Pakistani government claims that “hostile elements” operating on social media platforms intend to create instability and chaos in the country. Whether the proposed six-day social media ban is implemented nationwide remains to be seen, with a final decision pending from the federal government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is Maryam Nawaz’s uncle.
