LAHORE: The Punjab government has imposed a wide-ranging ban on the use of social media by government employees, prohibiting them from posting opinions, statements, or official information online without prior approval.
The directive has been issued via an official notification dated September 30, 2025. It warns of disciplinary action for those who fail to comply. However, reports suggest that the Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Chief Minister may be exempt from the ban, though no formal confirmation has been made.
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The notification, issued by the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD), cites violations of the Punjab Civil Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1966, and references a previous Office Memorandum by the Establishment Division. According to the document, “civil servants are prohibited from making public statements, opinions, or sharing information to media or online platforms without due approval.”
It further notes that officers are expected to uphold high moral and ethical standards and remain aware of how their online activity can affect public trust. “Officers serve as representatives of the provincial government and must be mindful of how their actions influence public perception,” the notice states.
The government expressed “serious concern” over the increasing use of social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp Groups, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, by officers without due regard for the integrity and standards required of public service. The notification explicitly states that “online comments, views, conduct or personal opinions must not harm national security, violate public order, decency or morality, constitute contempt of court, defamation or incitement to unlawful acts, or promote sectarianism.”
Officials are also banned from any form of self-promotion or personal publicity using their government position. “Any form of personal glorification or self-aggrandizement… whether by publicizing individual achievements, projecting official engagements for personal recognition, or otherwise utilizing governmental activities for personal publicity – shall be strictly prohibited,” it reads.
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The directive noted that these instructions must be followed “in letter and spirit” by all officials and warns that “strict disciplinary action shall be taken against the violators as per rules/law/policy.”