Government agencies are responsible for monitoring their social media platforms to remove any inappropriate content.
Govt introduces new policy to prohibit the use of social media for civil servants. The government of Pakistan has introduced a new policy requiring civil servants to obtain prior approval before engaging in social media activities, prohibiting the unnecessary use of social media to avoid misleading any situation.
An office memorandum issued by the Establishment Division reaffirms existing regulations prohibiting government employees from interacting with media outlets without official authorization.
The Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, established in 1964, prohibit employees from sharing official information or making statements that could embarrass the government.
This recent notification reminded employees of these rules, warning of disciplinary action under the 2020 Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules for non-compliance.
According to the notification issued by the government rule 18 of the Rules bars civil servants are strictly prohibited from engaging in certain activities on social media, including sharing official documents or sensitive information with unauthorized individuals, such as citizens or media personnel.
They are also barred from expressing opinions or sharing content that could potentially damage the government’s reputation.
Additionally, civil servants are not allowed to make statements that contradict government policies or decisions or compromise national sovereignty and dignity.
Furthermore, referring to Rule 22 they are prohibited from participating in social media debates that could impact international relations or compromise their impartiality, ensuring that their online presence aligns with their official duties and maintains the integrity of the government.
The policy applies to all civil servants across various service groups, and failure to comply may result in misconduct proceedings.
Government agencies are responsible for monitoring their social media platforms to remove any inappropriate content.
The memorandum emphasizes that the objective of this policy is not to restrict the constructive use of social media but to ensure that government employees use these platforms responsibly and in a manner that aligns with their official duties.
Key officials, including federal secretaries, additional secretaries, department heads, and chief secretaries, are accountable for ensuring adherence to these guidelines.
