In an effort to counter sectarianism during Muharram, the Punjab Home Department has launched the province's first-ever Cyber Patrolling and Quick Response Cell.
The state-of-the-art unit will operate round-the-clock to monitor social media platforms for objectionable and inflammatory content, and to take swift legal action against violators.
According to official hand-outs released on June 30, the Punjab Police registered nine cases within the last 24 hours for the online circulation of sectarian and hateful content.
Ten individuals have been arrested in connection with these cases – eight for posting on Facebook and two for sharing material via WhatsApp. The arrests were made in Sargodha, Sahiwal, Lodhran, Bhakkar, Khanewal, Rajanpur and Layyah.
Inspector General of Police Punjab, Dr Usman Anwar, affirmed that the force is actively cracking down on digital incitement of religious hatred.
"Anyone using social media to spread sectarianism will face the full force of the law," he warned.
The newly formed cyber cell is housed within the Home Department's central control room and operates in collaboration with the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) and the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB).
It monitors online platforms for hate speech, fake news, and provocative content.
Reported material is relayed to the Special Branch, which in turn coordinates with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for blocking such content.
So far, the unit has flagged 271 social media accounts to the PTA, resulting in the arrest of 17 individuals involved in spreading sectarian hate online.
The cell is also fully integrated with Punjab's Safe City infrastructure and receives real-time updates from district-level control rooms.
A dedicated "Muharram e-Portal" has been established to link all districts with the central unit for streamlined coordination and incident reporting.
Live surveillance of major Muharram processions and religious gatherings is also being conducted from the control room.
The initiative was reviewed during the 31st meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, held at the Home Department and chaired by Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique.
The meeting was attended by Provincial Minister Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi and senior officials from police, Counter Terrorism Department, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies.
Speaking at the meeting, Rafique reaffirmed that ensuring peace during Muharram is the provincial government's top priority. Over 150,000 police personnel have been deployed across Punjab, with support from the Pakistan Army and Rangers. Section 144 will be enforced on the 9th and 10th of Muharram to restrict pillion riding, and a blanket ban has been placed on the public display of weapons.
He also confirmed that robust security arrangements have been finalised for the upcoming Urs of Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Ganj Shakar.
The Home Department urged the public to use social media responsibly and warned that those found sharing sectarian or inflammatory content would be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.
