Extremist content: 462 Social media accounts suspended in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD:  The Anti-Extremism Unit of Islamabad Police in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) took decisive action on Tuesday by suspending 462 social media accounts engaged in disseminating religious and ethnic hatred across various platforms in Pakistan.

The crackdown came after the Islamabad Police identified a total of 1522 accounts involved in spreading negative activities. Following the identification process, a formal request was made to the FIA to take action against the flagged accounts.

Among the suspended accounts, 65 were found to be spreading religious hatred, 47 were propagating anti-national sentiments, and 350 were engaged in disseminating terrorist content. Efforts are currently underway to promptly close the remaining 1060 accounts identified in the initial investigation.

This swift action reflects the government’s commitment to curbing extremist elements and promoting responsible use of social media platforms.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, reiterated the government’s stance against any misuse of social media platforms for anti-state activities during a recent news conference in Lahore.

Tarar emphasized the importance of using social media responsibly, highlighting that the government understands the economic challenges facing the country and is actively working towards addressing them.

Read more: Sher Afzal Marwat bawls out critics on social media

He also praised the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, noting the government’s tireless efforts for Pakistan’s progress under his dynamic leadership.

Additionally, Tarar expressed condolences for the lives lost in a recent terrorist attack in North Waziristan, acknowledging the sacrifices made by the armed forces in the ongoing battle against terrorism.