Instant arrests over hate content ordered

Express Tribune

a day ago

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered the adoption of zero-tolerance against violation of a code of conduct for ensuring peace during Muharram. Presiding over a meeting, she ordered immediate arrest of anyone found involved in spreading hateful content on social media.
The chief minister directed the authorities concerned to enforce a ban on displaying banners, posters and wall chalking throughout the province. She also ordered immediate arrest of those violating the ban on flying drones during Muharram. She directed the provincial ministers, commissioners, deputy commissioners, RPOs and DPOs to oversee the arrangements for the occasion and contact religious scholars for the purpose.
Chief Minister Maryanm Nawaz directed the Punjab Safe Cities Authority to make functional the out of order surveillance cameras. She also directed the Special Monitoring Unit to monitor and report on hate content. She directed the authorities to launch drills of security arrangements and to install 'sabeels' in a uniform manner for Muharram gatherings for distributing refreshing drinks, lemonade and cold water bottles.
It was agreed during the meeting to install iron railings for security during the processions and gatherings.
The chief minister issued directives to sprinkle water to protect the participants of the gatherings from severe heat and humidity along with other steps to protect them from heatstroke. She ordered the setting up of field hospitals and Clinics on Wheels along the Ashura procession routes along with an effective traffic management plan and advisories. She also called for arrangements to ensure timely drainage of water in case of rainfall.
The chief minister also ordered activation of the hotel and travel surveillance web applications, continuation of combing operations and the acquisition of an anti-drone system.
She said the SOPs for the occasion should be implemented in letter and spirit.
She said hanging electric wires posed a big risk and they should be urgently removed. There should be no power outage at during the gatherings street lights should not be turned off, she added.
"It is our foremost responsibility to safeguard the country and the nation from hatred, prejudice and disunity. Division and hatred are poisonous for the new generation and we want to eliminate the at all cost. There is a dire need to take effective and sustainable measures to eradicate hatred and prejudice," she said.