ISLAMABAD: A high-level meeting on Nationwide Muharram Security Plan at Ministry of Interior on Thursday decided to launch a crackdown against elements spreading religious hatred on social media during Muharram and to take strict legal actions against them.
The meeting was presided over by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during which security plan for all provinces, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Islamabad was reviewed in detail.
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Besides launching crackdown against online religious hatred, the meeting called for sending clear recommendations to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to curb hate content on electronic and social media.
Furthermore, it was also decided that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure peace and order during Muharram.
Mobile service suspension during Muharram
The meeting did not make a definite decision on mobile and internet service suspension during Muharram. It agreed on making any decision in this regard in consultation with relevant provinces, keeping in view the security concerns.
“Decisions regarding internet and mobile service suspensions must be made on the basis of ground realities and the security situation, the interior minister issued directives for the relevant authorities during the meetings.
He emphasized that all necessary measures and decisions will be taken through mutual consultation. The federal government will extend full support to all provinces, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan for maintaining law and order, he added.
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Naqvi stressed that no one will be allowed to incite violence or disrupt peace, and assured that strict enforcement of the code of conduct during Muharram will be ensured. Modern technology will be used to monitor processions and gatherings, he added.
The IGPs and Home Secretaries of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Islamabad briefed the interior minister on their respective security plans for Muharram.
The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry, Federal Secretary Interior, Acting Chairman CDA, Commandant Frontier Constabulary, DC Islamabad, DIG Islamabad Police, senior officials of the Ministry of Interior, and law enforcement agencies.
IGPs, Home Secretaries, DG Rangers Punjab, DG Rangers Sindh, and senior officers from law enforcement agencies of all provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan also participated in the meeting via video link.