RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has decided to refer posts on social media that can be hurtful to some people during the election campaign to the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing.

The Punjab Home Department had been directed to coordinate with FIA in this regard and to refer reports received from divisional and district authorities about hurtful posts on social media which may also lead to uncertainty.

According to sources, the decision to send such cases to the FIA was taken in a top level meeting on law and order in which other issues related to the general elections were also discussed in detail.

The meeting held recently was chaired by the Punjab chief minister and attended by chief secretary, additional chief secretary and inspector general of police, Punjab.

The meeting also highlighted the need for effective coordination between law enforcement and intelligence agencies for timely information sharing as well as pre-emptive measures for avoiding any untoward incidents.

The chief minister is said to have directed all departments to coordinate with one another on the divisional and district level, conduct regular meetings and ensure necessary cooperation for the smooth conduction of the general elections.

A senior FIA official told Dawn that the agency will take action against those who upload objectionable material on social media, adding that no such complaint from a political leader contesting the general elections has been referred to the agency so far.

The chief minister also directed that that a media management strategy be devised so that violence is not promoted and maximum restraint is observed during reporting of incidents so that the situation is not further aggravated.

According to sources, the minister for information and secretary information were directed to make sure the code of conduct is followed after coordinating with all concerned.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2018