ISLAMABAD: Acting on directives of the Ministry of Interior, the director general of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has established a special team to combat hate speech on social media during Muharram.
According to a statement, there will be a crackdown against hate material, misinformation and incitement on social media. Strict action will be taken against those spreading hate speech and religious strife on social media.
A team of experts, including technical specialists, digital analysts, and officers monitoring hate material, has been formed to monitor social media posts based on religious hatred. The NCCIA said that preventing incitement on social media during Muharram will be its top priority, and legal action will be taken against those found spreading hatred.
After receiving multiple testimonies of moon-sighting from across the country, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee on Thursday announced that the moon of Moharram 1447 Hijri was sighted in the country, and Ashura would fall on July 6 (Sunday).
Muharram is regarded as one of the four sacred Islamic months. Ashura falls on its 10th day when the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Imam Hussain (RA) along with his family members were martyred in the battle of Karbala.
Faithful hold processions and majalis across the country in Muharram, while religious scholars address huge gatherings amid tight security, with thousands of law enforcers deployed to ensure security.
Moreover, the decision to suspend mobile phone or internet services during the sacred Islamic month would be made in consultation with the provinces, as resolved in a meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to review the national security plan.
The meeting reviewed security preparations for Muharram across all provinces, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), and the federal capital, Islamabad. Officials agreed that strict action would be taken against individuals spreading religious hatred on social media platforms.
Naqvi added that all necessary measures and decisions related to Muharram security would be undertaken through mutual consultation. He affirmed that the federal government would provide full support to maintain peace during the religious month.
He further emphasised that no individual would be allowed to provoke unrest or engage in subversive activities. Naqvi said the enforcement of the code of conduct during Muharram would be ensured and noted that processions and gatherings would be monitored using modern technology.
