Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government bars all government servants from using social media to discuss or share information on issues relating to government business, except with prior approval of the administrative secretary, head of the attached department or commission. The decision was taken under Rule-34(A) of the KP government servant (conduct) rules, 1987, after the competent authority took cognizance of the various instances wherein the government and civil servants were found participating in discussions on different social media platforms regarding matters about political issues, sectarianism and anti-state activities.

The notification also said that rules 23, 24, 25, 28 and 29 of the KP government servants (conduct) rules, 1987 bar the government servants from expressing their views against the ideology and security of the country and from taking part in any public demonstration directed against a government decision or policy. The notification further said that under rule 21 of the government servants' rules, no public servant is authorized to communicate directly or indirectly any official information or the contents of any official document to any unauthorized person or government servant, or the press. The notification directed strict observance of the mentioned rules to avoid any legal action.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)