Acting on directives from 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 an official statement, there will be a significant crackdown against hate material, misinformation, and incitement on social media platforms. Strict action will be taken against individuals found spreading hate speech and inciting religious strife online.
An expert team, comprising technical specialists, digital analysts, and officers dedicated to monitoring hate material, has been assembled to oversee social media posts that promote religious hatred. The NCCIA emphasized that preventing incitement on social media during Muharram will be its top priority, and legal action will be pursued against those identified as spreading hatred.
Following numerous testimonies of moon-sighting from across the country, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee on Thursday announced that the moon for Muharram 1447 Hijri was sighted in Pakistan, confirming that Ashura will fall on Sunday, July 6.
Muharram is revered as one of the four sacred Islamic months. Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram, commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), along with his family members in the Battle of Karbala.
During Muharram, faithful Muslims across the country organize processions and majalis, while religious scholars address large gatherings. These events are held under tight security, with thousands of law enforcement personnel deployed to ensure peace and safety.
Furthermore, the decision regarding the suspension of mobile phone or internet services during this sacred Islamic month will be made in consultation with the provinces. This was resolved during a meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to review the national security plan for Muharram.
The meeting assessed security preparations for Muharram across all provinces, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), and the federal capital, Islamabad. Officials collectively agreed that stringent action would be taken against individuals disseminating religious hatred on social media platforms.
Minister Naqvi added that all necessary measures and decisions pertaining to Muharram security would be undertaken through mutual consultation. He affirmed that the federal government would provide full support to maintain peace throughout the religious month.
He further emphasized that no individual would be permitted to provoke unrest or engage in subversive activities. Naqvi stated that the enforcement of the code of conduct during Muharram would be ensured, and processions and gatherings would be monitored using modern technology.
