The Interior Ministry announced on Thursday that it planned to take strict measures against the elements that spread religious hatred on social networks as part of a security plan before Muharram month.
The government has increased security efforts in recent weeks when the first month of the Islamic calendar is approaching. KP and the Punjab government have planned to impose section 144 throughout the province of Muharram 1 to 10, except for public meetings, protests or other actions that could interrupt peace.
The Central Committee Ruet-E-Hilal will meet today for the sighting of the Moon by Muharram.
According to a statement from the Ministry today, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi presided over a meeting aimed at reviewing the security plan for the month.
“It was decided that measures will be taken against elements that incite religious hatred on social networks in the light of Muharram,” he said.
“In this sense, Pemra (Pakistan electronic media regulatory authority) has received instructions to monitor hate content in electronic and social networks.”
The meeting reviewed the security plan for Muharram in all provinces, including Azad Cashmiro, Gilgit-Baltist and Islamabad, in detail, planning to take the administrative measures necessary to guarantee a Pacific Muharram throughout the country.
Naqvi promised to cooperate on all possible fronts to guarantee peace, particularly in AJK, Gilgit-Baltist and Islamabad.
On the Internet issue and the mobile phone service that are suspended during processions, the meeting explained that the decision will be made in consultation with each province, taking into account the safety situation of each respective province.
“All the necessary steps and decisions will be taken with mutual consultation,” said the minister, warning that no one would be allowed to encourage hate or religious provocation.
Detailing more security measures, he shared that Muharram’s processions will be monitored through modern technology.
The Inspector General (IG) of the Police and the secretaries of all the provinces, including Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Baluchistan, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as the capital, gave information about the security plan at the meeting.
Minister of State of the Interior Talal Chaudhry, interior of the federal secretary, Interim President CDA, commander of the Border Constabulary, an attached commissioner Islamabad, Deputy General Inspector of Police of Islamabad, Ministry of Interior and senior officials of the agencies of application of the law were also present at the meeting.
Meanwhile, other senior officials of the law enforcement agencies attended the meeting through a video link.
Muharram is a month of mourning, observed in particular by Shiite Muslims around the world.
Commemorates the battle of Karbala in 680 AD, where, among many, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (La Paz either with him), the Imam Husain, was martyred and other family members were martyred or subjected to humiliation.
Taking into account the need for additional security due to the increase in religious activity during Muharram’s first 10 days, the authorities make arrangements accordingly.
Last week, the Interior Department of Punjab took additional security measures, including deployment of armed forces when necessary, to guarantee peace in the province during Muharram.
