In line with federal government directives, Sindh Police Chief Ghulam Nabi Memon has ordered strict action against police officials who ignore police rules and social norms while making TikTok videos.
IGP Memon on Wednesday issued an order to the Karachi Addl IGP, Range DIG and SSP of the province stating that departmental and legal action should be taken immediately against the police TikTokers who create and upload videos containing absurd and nonsensical comments, playing the song and bad behavior.
He said there is no place in the police force for those who harm the police by making such videos, adding that the police department is a uniformed disciplined unit, “and respect for the police uniform is a must for all of us. “.
He also said that police officials are required not to upload videos on TikTok and ordered that strict disciplinary action must be taken against officials who upload videos in violation of police rules. The IGP said officials in police uniforms will not be allowed to make videos for any platform.
Government Circular
Establishment Division, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of Pakistan has earlier issued an office memorandum on the use of social media platform by government officials which reads, “Kindly refer to the Circular of this Division giving detailed instructions as per Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1964 ., governing the participation of government employees in various media forums, including social media platforms, were issued for compliance purposes.
“According to the rules, no government official can participate in any media platform, except with the express permission of the government. Rule 18 prohibits a government official from sharing official information or a document with a government official who is not authorized to receive it, or a private person or the press.
“Rule 22 exempts a Government officer from making any statement of fact or opinion likely to embarrass the Government in any published document or in any communication made in the press or in any public statement or television program or radio broadcast delivered by him. .
“Rules 21, 25, 25-A and 25-B prohibit a government servant from expressing views against the ideology and integrity of Pakistan or any government policy or decision. In addition, they also prohibit a government official from offering opinions on any media platform that may harm national security or friendly relations with foreign nations; or violate public order, decency or morality; or constitute contempt of court or libel or incitement to an offence; or promote a sectarian creed.
“Despite the above guidelines and the main legal framework, it has been observed that government officials frequently engage in social media, i.e. websites and applications that allow users to create and share content or join social networks / virtual communities / online groups.
“When they use various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, microblogging, etc., to spread their views on a variety of topics, they sometimes indulge in actions or behaviors that do not conform to the required standards of official behavior, as well as refrain from following trends, joining political parties participating in press conferences / media interviews or engaging in business promotion without prior
permission as specified in the rules. “Such actions range from unauthorized transmission of official information to dissemination of incorrect or misleading information to dissemination of political or sectarian views or dissemination of comments based on caste and creed etc.
“In view of the above, it is expedient to issue the following guidelines to govern the use of social media platforms by civil servants: the same guidelines that apply to civil servants when speaking in public forums or publishing articles in print media will apply. mutatis mutandis to their use of social media.
“As stipulated in Rule 18, they shall not engage in unauthorized communication of official information or sharing of official documents encountered in the course of their duties through social media.
“In order to maintain their impartiality and objectivity in performance, they will not participate in any discussion on social media or exchange or transmit information or messages that express their opinion on political issues. They will not be involved in the dissemination of any information relating especially to government matters which prima facie appears to be inauthentic and misleading.
“They will not make any disparaging remarks directed against any individual, group, sect or faith and will always uphold the values that guide the civil service. They are advised to exercise discretion and moderation and maintain high standards of decency when using social media.”
