On September 8, the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) inspector general of police prohibited officers and officials of the provincial police force from using the video-sharing platform TikTok, citing the need to uphold discipline and the image of the department.

According to a notification issued from the IGP’s office, “In order to maintain discipline, uniformity and dignity of the force, it is hereby directed that no GB police officer/official shall use social media platform (TikTok).”

The directive further instructed all district police officers and unit heads to convey the order to personnel under their command. It warned that non-compliance would be “viewed seriously and cause disciplinary action”.

The latest move reflects a broader trend of restrictions imposed on law enforcement officials’ social media use across the country.

In July, two constables from the Islamabad police’s Security Division were suspended and placed under inquiry for allegedly making and uploading TikTok videos while in uniform, in violation of departmental policy. Sources at the time said dozens of other junior officials had been cautioned and told to remove their TikTok accounts to avoid further disciplinary measures.

Similarly, in March this year, the Punjab Police directed its personnel not to share “offensive views” against the state through personal social media accounts.

Last year, in September 2024, both the Islamabad and Punjab police introduced social media usage policies, prohibiting officers from posting opinions or statements online. Under those frameworks, senior officers were also tasked with personally supervising and monitoring the online activity of subordinates.

In the same period, the federal government reiterated its warning to civil servants to refrain from using social media to express political or religious views or to share official information with unauthorised persons or the media.