ISLAMABAD: The government has reiterated its directive to employees, instructing them to refrain from expressing political or religious opinions on social media and from sharing information with unauthorized individuals or the media.
In a circular issued on Monday, the Establishment Division referred to the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules 1964, which prohibit employees from making statements that could potentially embarrass the government in any published document, press communication, public speech, or television program.
The circular echoes similar directives issued in August 2021 and July 2020, which prohibit government employees from appearing on media platforms without official permission. It also reminds employees of the rules against expressing views that are contrary to the ideology and integrity of Pakistan or any government policy or decision.
The government warned that any violation of these instructions would be considered misconduct and could lead to disciplinary action under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020.
The circular highlighted that, despite existing rules, government employees continue to engage in activities on social media, such as participating in virtual communities and online groups, where they sometimes express views or engage in behavior inconsistent with official conduct standards.
Government officials were directed to avoid displaying political affiliations, promoting businesses, or participating in social media discussions without appropriate permission. The circular emphasized the need for government employees to maintain impartiality and objectivity in their professional roles by refraining from political discourse or sharing unauthorized or potentially misleading information related to government matters.
While the circular does not discourage the positive use of social media by government organizations, it instructs them to regularly monitor and remove any offensive, inappropriate, or objectionable content from their platforms.
