Police personnel nationwide are being barred from using social media while on duty. At first, it was the Punjab police followed by the KP police, and now the Karachi police have also been banned from using social media at work.
Karachi’s top law enforcement official, Police Chief Javed Alam Odho, has implemented a stringent social media policy for the city’s police force. This new directive prohibits officers from using TikTok or any other social media platform without prior authorization.
Additional Inspector General (AIG) Odho communicated this policy through an official letter addressed to high-ranking police officials within the Karachi Range, including Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs). The document outlines comprehensive guidelines governing social media use among police personnel.
This policy comes after attempts by the Inspector General (IG) of Sindh, Ghulam Nabi Memon, to curtail police officers’ activities on TikTok.
The directive stipulates that any videos featuring police uniforms, vehicles, or equipment must receive prior approval before publication. Moreover, such content is to be disseminated exclusively through official police accounts, rather than personal profiles.
The policy reads:
Concerned offices/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 issued a seven-day ultimatum to the police force. Officers are required to remove any inappropriate videos or posts currently available on various social media platforms within this timeframe. This sweeping measure aims to quickly bring the online presence of Karachi’s police force in line with the newly established guidelines.