After successfully blocking X, formerly Twitter, for over four months, the Pakistan government is now set to ban all social media platforms -- YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok -- for six days from July 13 to 18, citing the need to control "hate material" during the Islamic month of Ramadan.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's cabinet committee on law and order has recommended banning of all social media platforms -- YouTube, X, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, among others --during 6 to 11 Muharram (July 13-18) in Punjab, a province of over 120 million people, to "control hate material, misinformation to avoid sectarian violence", according to a Punjab government notification issued here late Thursday night.
The Punjab government of Maryam Nawaz has requested her uncle Shehbaz Sharif's government at the Centre to notify the suspension of all social media platforms on internet for six days (July 13-18).
Pakistan Army Chief Gen Asim Munir has already declared social media a "vicious media" and underscored the need to fight what he called "digital terrorism".
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who also holds the portfolio of foreign minister, recently called for placing a complete ban on social media.
The Shehbaz government had shut down X in last February following allegations of change of general election results by the Election Commission of Pakistan, apparently on the order of the military establishment to stop Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's jailed founder Imran Khan from coming to power.
Both the military and the government were receiving backlash on social media since the ouster of former prime minister Imran Khan through a no-confidence motion in April 2022.
The government has arrested dozens of social media activists of Khan's party since then.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Heavy Rain Hits Himachal, Uttarakhand, Red Alert Issued
India vs Pakistan Champions Trophy Dates Out. Report Says, "Government Will..." Pakistan To Host England, Bangladesh For Test Series In 2024/2025 Season 2 Post Fake Ads Offering Money To 'Impregnate' Woman In Haryana, Arrested: Cops Sena Leader Arrested After Son Kills Mumbai Woman In BMW Crash Case Against Mahua Moitra Under New Criminal Law Over Comment On X Scientists Confirm Earth's Core Has Slowed, Now Moving In Reverse Woman, Lover Murder Her Husband With Scissors In Greater Noida, Arrested Man Beaten To Death Over Suspicion Of Theft In Bengal, Case Filed: Cops Ready To Discuss Hostage Deal Without "Permanent" Ceasefire: Hamas Official Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.