Social media clampdown on 'hate speech' an attempt to silence dissent

Information Minister Fawad Chaudrhy has announced a 'comprehensive
crackdown' on hate speech on social media. Activists are already being
booked in the country and this crackdown is most likely to target
dissent, not hate speech.

•  Information Minister has announced a comprehensive crackdown


•  on “hate speech” on social media in Pakistan


•  A working group, with representatives of FIA and other security agencies


•  has been formed for the purpose


•  Activists and journalists have criticized the move


•  They say the step is aimed at silencing dissent


•  under the garb of countering hate speech


•  Last week, academic and activist Ammar Ali Jan was arrested


•  His ‘crime’ was participation in a protest in Lahore


•  against killing of Professor Arman Loni in Loralai,


•  allegedly at the hands of police


•  Journalist Razi Dada who has been critical of the state institutions


•  was also arrested the same day


•  Although his tweets circulating on social media did contain hate speech,


•  he wasn’t charged with it in the FIR filed against him


•  The announcement of clampdown on social media


•  and the recent arrests are worrying


•  Most disturbingly, political leaders are silent