Home Dept stresses zero-tolerance against online hate

RAWALPINDI, Aug 18 (APP):On the directives of the Chief Minister of Punjab, the Punjab Home Department has intensified its consultative outreach with religious scholars across Rawalpindi and the province to preserve law and order, promote interfaith harmony, and strengthen inter-sectarian tolerance.

In ongoing consultations, Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, Khawaja Salman Rafique, held a detailed meeting with a delegation of Tehreek-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat scholars led by Mufti Intekhab Ahmed Nouri, Chairman of the Muttahida Ulema Board Punjab. The participants conducted a comprehensive review of the overall law and order situation, strategy for promoting religious tolerance, and measures to prevent potential sectarian tensions.

A spokesperson for the Home Department Punjab said that religious scholars play a fundamental role in spreading messages of peace, brotherhood, and restraint. He reiterated that the provincial government remains committed to maintaining social cohesion in close coordination with scholars across all schools of thought. Scholars have been urged to leverage their pulpits and public outreach to discourage hate speech, provocative rhetoric, and sectarian divide.

According to the details, a strict zero-tolerance policy is actively enforced against individuals propagating sectarian hatred or inflammatory content on social media platforms. The department continuously monitors digital space and reports objectionable content to relevant law enforcement agencies and regulatory authorities.

It was highlighted during the meeting that the Punjab Home Department has reported more than 13,000 objectionable social media accounts to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for legal action. Authorities emphasized that no individual or group will be allowed to exploit digital platforms to stir sectarian friction.