LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has called for a collective and coordinated strategy to counter prejudice and incitement, urging all segments of society to promote tolerance, peace and mutual respect. In her message on the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, the chief minister particularly appealed to young people to play a proactive role in curbing the spread of hate content, misinformation and extremist narratives on social media platforms.
Government Commitment to Eliminate Hatred
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating hatred, prejudice and intolerance from society, stressing the need to uphold the values of peace, love and brotherhood, especially during the holy month of Muharram, and to avoid divisive or inflammatory rhetoric. Maryam Nawaz said the rapid spread of hate speech through social media and digital platforms had become one of the most serious challenges of the modern era.
Impact of Hate Speech on Human Rights
She noted that such content not only undermines human rights but can also trigger violence and deepen social divisions. She stressed the importance of rejecting all forms of hateful narratives and fostering a culture of tolerance and mutual respect. According to her, preventing hatred based on religion, ethnicity, gender or nationality was essential for achieving social harmony and global peace.
Need for Sustained Efforts
The chief minister observed that hate speech fuels division, unrest and violence in societies, adding that sustained efforts were required to eliminate religious, ethnic and gender-based discrimination in order to ensure peaceful coexistence. Referring to Islamophobia, she described it as one of the most dangerous manifestations of hate-driven ideologies.
She asserted that no individual or group should be allowed to spread hatred under the guise of freedom of expression, and emphasized the need to hold accountable those responsible for promoting such narratives. Jailed billionaire’s Birkin bags are going on sale, it won’t be enough to repay her victims Tags: callsunitedefforthate
