The use of social media while on duty is banned for police officers across the country. The Punjab police were the first to be banned from using social media at work, then the KP police, and now the Karachi police.
Police Chief Javed Alam Odho, the highest-ranking law enforcement official in Karachi, has enforced a strict social media policy for the city’s police force. Officers are not allowed to use TikTok or any other social media network without permission, according to this new directive.
High-ranking police officers in the Karachi Range, such as Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), were informed of this policy by Additional Inspector General (AIG) Odho by formal letter. The document contains extensive rules regulating police officers’ usage of social media.
Sindh’s Inspector General (IG), Ghulam Nabi Memon, said this regulation follows attempts to limit police officials’ TikTok activity by
According to the regulation, films that include police gear, cars, or uniforms have to be approved in advance of being released. Furthermore, official police accounts should be the only ones used to distribute such content; private accounts are not permitted.
The policy reads:
“Concerned offices or officers must not post, share, or engage in videos that contain mockery or disrespect of individuals based on race, gender, caste, or religion. No personal, political, or religious views can be shared by police personnel on various social media platforms. Official social media platforms regarding police activities shall only be run by concerned DIGsP/SSsP/Unit Head Media Team.”
Odho has given the police force a seven-day ultimatum. Within this time span, officers must take down any offensive posts or videos that are now accessible on social media sites. This broad action intends to promptly align the police force of Karachi’s internet presence with the recently instituted regulations.
In a similar move earlier this month, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police department banned police officers from using these platforms. The letter was sent to all regional and district police officers in KP.
According to specifics, the letter said that employees and police officers are not permitted to use social media. Officers from the regional police force are advised to make sure that this policy is strictly followed.
According to Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz, social media sites, including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, were previously prohibited for on-duty police officers to access.
