Pakistan To Ban YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram And TikTok From July 13 To 18, Here’s Know Why

After successfully blocking X, formerly Twitter, for over four months, the Pakistan government is now set to ban all social media platforms — YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok — for six days from July 13 to 18, citing the need to control ‘hate material’ during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s cabinet committee on law and order has recommended banning all social media platforms during 6 to 11 Muharram (July 13-18) in Punjab. The aim is to ‘control hate material, misinformation to avoid sectarian violence’, as per a Punjab government notification issued late Thursday.
The Punjab government under Maryam Nawaz has urged the Centre, led by her uncle Shehbaz Sharif, to notify the suspension of all social media platforms on the internet for these six days. This move comes amidst efforts to maintain peace and harmony during a sensitive period in the Islamic calendar. With this decision, over 120 million people in Punjab province will be affected by the temporary ban on major social media platforms.
Earlier, Pakistan Army Chief Gen Asim Munir has labeled social media as a ‘vicious media’ and highlighted the urgent need to combat what he refers to as ‘digital terrorism’. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has gone a step further, advocating for a complete ban on social media platforms. This drastic stance comes in the wake of the Shehbaz government’s decision to shut down social media platforms last February amidst allegations of electoral interference and manipulation.
The recent ouster of former Prime Minister Imran Khan through a no-confidence motion in April 2022 has further fueled tensions, leading to the arrest of numerous social media activists associated with Khan’s party. The military and government have faced significant backlash on social media, reflecting the deep-seated divisions and power struggles within Pakistan’s political landscape.