The federal government has voiced serious concerns over the increasing circulation of hateful content on social media and the rising incidents of religious incitement and has directed the chief secretaries and police chiefs of all provinces to ensure strict monitoring of firebrand religious figures and hateful content.
To curb the spread of hate, 180 scholars and speakers have been banned from entering various districts, and 90 have been banned from speaking during Muharram.
The Secretary of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) sent a letter to the chief secretaries and police chiefs, urging immediate action to address the growing circulation of religious incitement and hateful content on social media ahead of Muharram.
The letter highlighted that the proliferation of such content is exacerbating communal tensions and could potentially lead to further instability.
Recent blasphemous activities have underscored the deep-seated communal divides in the country, and the rise in militancy fueled by hateful material is a significant concern.
In light of these issues, the federal government has emphasised that the country cannot afford any form of communal chaos. Consequently, all sectarian organisations with a history of militancy, as well as their associated elements, must be placed under strict surveillance.
Fiery speakers linked to these organisations are to be monitored closely, and their movements restricted to their respective districts to prevent them from inciting unrest.
Additionally, cyberspace is to be rigorously monitored to curb the promotion of hateful content.
In response to these directives, the police in Rawalpindi have initiated stringent monitoring of social media platforms.
Orders from Regional Police Officer (RPO) Babar Sarfraz Alpa and City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Hamdani have led to the banning of 180 scholars from entering the four districts of the Rawalpindi region, which include Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, and Jhelum. Specifically, 46 scholars and speakers have been banned in Rawalpindi district, 77 in Attock, 16 in Jhelum, and 41 in Chakwal.
Additionally, 90 scholars have been prohibited from speaking publicly: 26 from Rawalpindi, 37 from Attock, 17 from Jhelum, and 10 from Chakwal.
SSP Operations Rawalpindi Hafiz Kamran Asghar confirmed that the Rawalpindi Police are on high alert to ensure peace and order during Muharram, in compliance with the directives from the federal government and the Inspector General (IG) of Punjab Police.
He emphasized that strict monitoring of banned scholars and speakers, including their activities on social media, is being rigorously enforced.
The police are also ensuring adherence to the code of conduct to maintain harmony during this sensitive period. The measures taken by the federal government and the police are aimed at preventing any escalation of communal tensions and ensuring peaceful observance of Muharram across the region.
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