MANSEHRA: The police department on Saturday formed a cell to monitor sacrilegious and sectarian content on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok and other platforms.

“Our Information Technology Monitoring Cell will ensure swift legal action against those misusing social media platforms to hurt people’s religious sentiments and challenging social values through fake or misleading content,” district police officer Shafiullah Khan Gandapur told reporters here.

He said the cell, being established under his direct supervision, would monitor social media content around the clock and individuals involved in spreading religious or sectarian hatred would be brought to justice under strict applicable laws.

“We have also acquired technical and geo-fencing support in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency and other law-enforcement agencies to curb social media misuse,” he said.

Say those hurting religious sentiments will face action

Mr Gandapur said that certain social media platforms wrongly portrayed a recent honour killing case as a sectarian conflict, potentially inciting religious unrest.

“We cannot allow a handful of individuals to disturb the peaceful environment in the district and other parts of the country through such fabricated content,” he said.

The DPO urged parents to remain vigilant and monitor their children’s online activities to protect them from exploitation through fake online content.

He said cybercrime cases had been on the rise in recent times, so the cell was established to counter such offences.

Mr Gandapur said an awareness campaign had been launched across the district to educate people on how to protect themselves, their children and families from the misuse of social media.

CALL FOR COLLABORATION: Newly-elected president of the Mansehra District Bar Association Shahjehan Khan Swati on Saturday called for collaboration between lawyers and journalists to fight injustices against marginalised segments in the society.

“Lawyers have been striving to protect the rights of women and children,” Mr Swati told reporters here.

Accompanied by former association presidents Munir Hussain Lughmani and Basharat Abid Swati and general secretary Qasim Khan Jehangiri, Mr Swati said the lawyers were willing to closely work with journalists to address people’s issues.

He said the district administration should ensure strict enforcement of official rates for essential goods to the relief of consumers.

The association president urged journalists to play their due role in helping eliminate gender-based violence in the district.

“Unfortunately, such violent cases are on the rise, so the media should join hands with the legal fraternity to check them,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2025