Social media restrictions in Pakistan

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The government has made a decision because of rising concerns about civil servants misusing social media. The misuse could harm national security and reduce public trust.

SOPs for Social Media Use by Civil Servants

The Cabinet Secretariat has officially issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). These guidelines tell civil servants how to use social media properly. Departments have also been told to ensure these rules are followed.

Rules for Social Media Use

  1. No Political Discussions:
    Government employees must not join any social media discussions about politics.

  2. Media Appearances Need Permission:
    Civil servants cannot appear on TV, radio, or other media without prior approval.

  3. Sharing Information is Restricted:
    Official documents and information must not be shared with unauthorized people.

    • This includes both government workers and private individuals.

  4. No Commenting on Sensitive Topics:
    Employees cannot talk about:

    • National security issues.
    • Relations with other countries.

Other Prohibited Activities

  1. No Political Party Support:
    Civil servants must not show any support for political parties in public or online.

  2. No Business Promotions:
    Promoting businesses on social media is banned without government permission.

Reason for New Rules

Even with existing laws, many civil servants have been using social media improperly. These new SOPs aim to stop such behaviour and maintain discipline.

Consequences for Breaking the Rules

If a government employee breaks these rules, it will count as misconduct. Disciplinary action will be taken against them.

The Cabinet Division has sent a letter to all departments, reminding them to enforce these rules strictly.

Summary: Civil servants must follow strict guidelines when using social media. These rules ensure national security and maintain public trust. Violations will result in penalties.

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