The Punjab Police have issued a warning to officials against using their personal social media accounts to express “offensive views” about the state, government departments, and law enforcement agencies. A directive issued by the Additional Inspector General (AIG) of Police of the Investigation Branch has directed police chiefs across divisions of Punjab to “strictly monitor” and “take strict legal action” against those found responsible.

“After it was discovered that some police officials were using their personal social media accounts to express highly offensive views about the state of Pakistan, government departments and law enforcement agencies, divisional police chiefs across Punjab have been directed to strictly monitor it and take strict legal action against those responsible,” read the directive.

It further warned: “In case any police officer was found uploading inappropriate video, post, unlawful content, or any material or comments against police or government departments, the RPO will take strict departmental action against the responsible personnel. No unlawful content against the state, legal and government institutions and law enforcement agencies is allowed to be shared on social media platforms.”

It noted that in a directive in February, SOPs for surveillance of this nature of content had already been circulated.

The provincial Additional IG has sent a letter to Rawalpindi Regional Police Officer (RPO) Babar Sarfraz Alpa, Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Hamdani and to RPOs, CPOs, and District Police Officers (DPOs) across Punjab, including Lahore CCPO.