On Thursday [4 July 2024], the Punjab Government sent a letter to the Interior Ministry, requesting the suspension of social media platforms from 6th to 11th Muharram. The letter stated, “Standing Committee of Cabinet on Law & Order (SCCLO), while discussing agenda ‘Security and Administrative Arrangements for Muharram, 2024’ in its meeting dated 4 July 2024, inter-alia, decided that social media platforms, i.e., Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok etc., be suspended across the Province of Punjab from 6th to 11th of Muharram, 2024, in order to control hate material/misinformation and to avoid sectarian violence.”
On Friday [5 July], several media houses reported that the Interior Ministry had turned down the request to suspend social media platforms and mobile networks, suggesting instead that mobile networks only in procession areas would be suspended. Later in the day, the Interior Ministry denied this report, asserting that the decision had not yet been made and that the Prime Minister of Pakistan would make the final call.
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