218 booked over hate speech during Muharram

Strong legal action has been taken against 218 persons involved in spreading hate speech on social media before and during the month of Muharram, a spokesperson for the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of the Punjab Police said on Saturday.

The spokesperson said in a statement that first information reports (FIRs) were registered against 87 people, who had been sent to jail, while 43 people had been detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).

The statement added that more than 4,000 social media sites, containing hate speech were got blocked by the CTD through the Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA). He added that steps were being taken to prevent these people from spreading hate.

“Names of these 218 persons, from all sects, are being included in the 4th Schedule of Anti Terrorism Act 1997 to keep a surveillance over their activities. They will not be able to spread hate speech when they are in 4th Schedule,” the statement said.

In first 10 days (Ashura) of Muharram, legal action was taken against 57 persons involved in spreading hate speech on the social media through arrests under the Anti Terrorism Act and detentions under the MPO, the spokesperson said.

“These strong legal actions by LEAs have resulted in peaceful Muharram in year 2020. The government is determined not to allow anyone incite sectarian hatred. It will maintain peace in society at all costs,” the spokesperson concluded.