Strict Guidelines Issued for Government Servants on Social Media Usage

The Government of Pakistan, through the Establishment Division, has issued strict guidelines regarding the use of social media platforms by government servants.

The Establishment Division issued an office memorandum indicating that existing regulations forbid government employees from interacting with any media outlet without prior official approval.

Additionally, civil servants are barred from disclosing official documents or information to unauthorized individuals, the public, or the media.

These guidelines are based on the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1964, and emphasize the following key points:

Important Instructions for Government Servants on Social Media Usage

Express Permission Required: Government servants are prohibited from participating in any media platform, including social media, without the express permission of the Government.
Restrictions on Sharing Information: Rule 18 bars the sharing of official information or documents with unauthorized individuals, whether they are government servants or private persons.
Prohibited Statements: Government servants must refrain from making any statements or expressing opinions that could embarrass the Government, particularly in public forums, the press, or any media broadcasts.
Ideological and Policy Alignment: Rules 21, 25, 25-A, and 25-B prohibit government servants from expressing views against the ideology and integrity of Pakistan or any government policy or decision. They must also avoid any media content that could harm national security, offend public order, or incite offense.
Observed Violations: Despite these rules, many government servants continue to engage in inappropriate social media behavior, such as unauthorized sharing of information, political or sectarian commentary, and participation in press conferences without prior permission.
Disciplinary Actions: Violation of these instructions will be considered misconduct, leading to disciplinary actions under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020. Additionally, administrators of group platforms (if they are government servants) may also face disciplinary proceedings for violations occurring within their groups.
Encouragement for Constructive Use: While the government discourages unauthorized social media use, it supports constructive and positive engagement through official channels for public feedback, service delivery improvement, and complaint resolution. However, these platforms must be actively moderated to remove any offensive content.