Punjab sets up Cyber Patrol Cell to tackle online hate, ensure Muharram security

LAHORE: A first-of-its-kind Cyber ​​Patrol and Quick Response Cell has been established in Punjab Home Department. The cell will remain active 24 hours, Punjab Home Department Spokesperson

Officers from Home Department, Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) and the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) are deployed in Cyber ​​Patrol Cell.

The Cyber ​​Patrol Cell has been established in the central control room of the Home Department and it will remain active 24 hours, Punjab Home Department Spokesperson Tawsif Sabih Gondal said on Monday.

He said that a special cell is also performing the digital monitoring and reporting duty during the month of Muharram. It will monitor and report content inciting sectarian divide and other hateful content on digital media, he added.

Moreover, fake news, provocative and religious hatred content on social media is also being monitored and reported.

The Cyber ​​Patrol Cell shares all objectionable content with Special Branch, which is entrusted with the task of getting this objectionable content blocked by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

The spokesperson also informed that the Home Department is in constant touch with the Federal Ministry of Interior and PTA for action against reported accounts.

Control Room is monitoring and reporting all over Punjab It is also taking reports from the districts 24/7. Live monitoring of all major processions and gatherings of Muharram is being done in the central control room. The Home Department is also connected to all districts through a specially developed “Muharram e-portal”, the spokesperson added.

Safe City and district administration cameras installed across Punjab are connected to the control room and legal action is being taken against those spreading hatred on social media, Gondal said.

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