ISLAMABAD – The federal government rejected the request of the provincial governments regarding ban on the social media during few days of Muharram-ul-Haram, the sources close to the development said on Friday.
The sources said that the provincial governments including Punjab, Sindh, KPK and Balochistan had requested the federal government to ban the social media due to the security reasons.
“The security should be made more foolproof,” said the Interior ministry, adding that the mobile signals would be blocked in certain areas where the processions and majalis would be held.
Earlier, the provincial governments had written letters to the Federal Interior Secretary to propose the suspension of social media services in the province from the 6th to the 11th of Muharram.
The recommendation had come following the decision of the Cabinet’s Standing Committee on Peace and Order.
The suggested ban includes popular social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and TikTok.
In addition to the Federal Interior Secretary, the Punjab Home Department also informed the Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) the Inspector General (IG) of Punjab, and the Additional IGs of the Special Branch and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD).
The final decision regarding the implementation of this social media ban will be made by the federal government.
