On June 30, the Punjab Home Department established the province’s first Cyber Patrolling and Quick Response Cell to monitor and act against the spread of sectarian and inflammatory content online during Muharram.

The unit operates from the department’s central control room and is supported by the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) and Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB). It monitors hate speech, fake news, and provocative content on social media platforms, relaying reported cases to the Special Branch for action, including coordination with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block content.

Since its launch, the cell has identified 271 social media accounts, resulting in the arrest of 17 individuals across the province. The initiative is fully integrated with Punjab’s Safe City infrastructure and district-level control rooms, and features a “Muharram e-Portal” for real-time coordination and incident reporting.

Punjab Police registered nine cases related to online sectarian content. Ten individuals were arrested—eight for Facebook activity and two for WhatsApp posts—in Sargodha, Sahiwal, Lodhran, Bhakkar, Khanewal, Rajanpur, and Layyah.

In Sahiwal, police arrested three men in separate cases for allegedly sharing sectarian and blasphemous material. FIRs were registered under sections 295-A, 298-A, and 11 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016. Complaints detailed Facebook posts and a WhatsApp status inciting hatred.

Sahiwal District Police Officer Rana Tahir stated that the suspects were arrested following the registration of FIRs and emphasized the zero-tolerance policy for such incidents. He urged youth to use social media responsibly and avoid content that may incite sectarian conflict.

Inspector General of Police Punjab, Dr Usman Anwar, stated that law enforcement is actively targeting digital hate speech. “Anyone using social media to spread sectarianism will face the full force of the law,” he warned.