Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube to be banned for six days; Pak govt explains reason

ISLAMABAD: Recent reports are claiming that the Pakistan government is planning to ban social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram and TikTok during the Islamic month of Muharram. Pakistani media have reported that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has recommended banning all social media platforms from Muharram 6 to 11 (July 13-18) in Punjab.

Government sources said the move is intended to prevent sectarian unrest in the province during the Islamic month of Muharram by controlling hate speech and false information. The Punjab government issued a notification in this regard on Thursday night. Earlier, Pakistan had banned social media platform X for four months.

The Maryam Nawaz-led Punjab government has requested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government to announce a ban on all social media platforms on the internet for six days (July 13-18). Shehbaz Sharif is the uncle of Maryam Nawaz.

Recently, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir declared that social media was a 'vicious media' and underlined the need to combat digital terrorism. Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who is in charge of the Department of External Affairs, also called for a complete ban on social media.