Punjab CM calls for collective action against hate speech, incitement

LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday called for a collective strategy to counter prejudice and incitement, urging all segments of society to work together for the promotion of tolerance, peace and mutual respect. In her message on the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, the chief minister appealed to the youth to play their role in curbing the growing spread of hate content, misinformation and extremist tendencies on social media platforms. She reaffirmed the commitment to eliminate hatred, prejudice and narrow-mindedness from society and stressed the need to promote the values of peace, love and brotherhood during the holy month of Muharram instead of divisive and hateful rhetoric. Maryam Nawaz said the rapid dissemination of hate content through social media and digital platforms had become one of the greatest challenges of the modern age. She noted that hate speech posed a serious threat to human rights and often led to violence and social fragmentation. The chief minister said it was imperative to reject hateful narratives and foster tolerance, peace and mutual respect within society. She emphasized that preventing hatred in all its forms whether based on religion, ethnicity, gender or nationality was key to achieving global harmony. She observed that hate speech fuels division, unrest and violence in societies, adding that efforts to curb religious, ethnic and gender-based hatred were fundamental to ensuring peaceful coexistence. Referring to Islamophobia, CM Punjab described it as one of the most dangerous forms of hate-driven behavior. She asserted that no one should be allowed to sow the seeds of hatred among people and maintained that holding accountable those who spread hatred under the guise of freedom of expression was indispensable. CM Maryam orders foolproof security measures for Muharram