Social media platforms likely to be suspended from Muharram 6 to 11

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz's government has written a letter to the interior ministry seeking the suspension of social media platforms from Muharram 6 to 11 "in order to control hate material and misinformation and to avoid sectarian violence".

The letter was moved by the standing committee of Cabinet on law and order after discussing the agenda "Security and Administrative arrangements for Muharram 2024".

The committee decided to block Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and TikTok across the province for the six days of Muharram.

"[...] social media platforms i.e., Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok etc. be suspended across the Province of Punjab from 06th to 11th of Muharram, 2024 in order to control hate material/misinformation and to avoid sectarian violence," the letter said.

However, the final decision will be made by the interior ministry.

It's pertinent to mention here that X (formerly Twitter) has been blocked in Pakistan since February 8 elections.

On the other hand, the Sindh government has imposed section 144 of the CrPC across the province to ensure security during the ten days of Muharram.

Pillion riding has also been banned on Muharram 9 and 10 in the metropolis.

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is set to meet on July 6 to see the Muharram moon.