LAHORE: The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) claims to have taken action against 218 people allegedly involved in spreading hate speech on social media before and during Muharram.

According to a spokesperson, 87 out of the 218 suspects were arrested, booked and sent to jails, while 43 others were detained under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).

He claimed that the CTD also got over 4,000 social media websites containing hate speech blocked through the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.

The names of these 218 people belonging to all sects were being included in the Fourth Schedule of Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997 to maintain surveillance over their activities, so that they were not be able to spread hate speech further.

Additionally, during the first 10 days of Muharram, action was taken against 57 people for spreading hate speech on social media in the form of arrests under ATA and detentions under MPO.

He stressed that the government was determined not to allow sectarian hatred.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2020