Fact check: Govt has not yet decided to close social media for six days during Muharram

Some people on social media are claiming that Pakistan’s federal government has finally decided to ban social media across the country from the 6th to the 11th of Muharram. However, this claim is false as the government has not yet made any such decision.

A post is circulating on social media stating: ‘Ban on Social Media: Approval has been granted to completely shut down all social media apps, including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter, from the 6th to the 11th of Muharram nationwide to prevent sectarianism and unnecessary content.’ However, this post is baseless as the government has not announced any such decision.

Five days ago, the Punjab government recommended to the federal interior secretary to ban social media from the 6th to the 11th of Muharram to control the spread of hate material and misinformation and to avoid sectarian violence. However, the federal government has not made any final decision.

Typically, in Pakistan, for many years, the government has been suspending internet and mobile phone services in sensitive cities and areas on the 9th and 10th of Muharram for security purposes.