By Web Desk 
The federal government of Pakistan has introduced comprehensive guidelines aimed at regulating the use of social media by government servants. This move seeks to ensure that government employees adhere to standards of official conduct while engaging in online activities, and it reflects the government’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of public service in the digital age.
New Social Media Rules for Government Employees
The new guidelines, issued by the Establishment Division through an Office Memorandum, emphasize the need for government servants to exercise caution and responsibility when using social media platforms. These platforms include Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, and others that allow users to create, share content, or participate in online communities.
According to the memorandum, government servants are strictly prohibited from participating in any media platform without explicit government permission. Rule 18 of the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1964, explicitly bars government employees from sharing official information or documents with unauthorized individuals, whether they are private persons, press members, or other government servants not entitled to receive such information.
Upholding Integrity and Neutrality in Public Service
The guidelines reiterate that government servants must avoid making any public statements or engaging in discussions that could embarrass the government or compromise its policies. Rule 22 of the same rules prohibits government employees from making any statements or expressing opinions in published documents, press communications, or public forums that could potentially embarrass the government or contradict its stance.
Additionally, the rules emphasize that government servants must refrain from expressing views that could undermine Pakistan’s ideology, harm national security, disrupt public order, or offend public morality. These restrictions extend to any commentary that could lead to contempt of court, defamation, or incitement to illegal activities.
Enforcement and Monitoring
Despite these longstanding rules, the memorandum highlights that some government servants continue to misuse social media platforms. They engage in activities that violate the standards of official conduct, such as unauthorized sharing of official information, disseminating misleading or false information, and making politically or sectarian-based comments.
In response to these issues, the government has issued detailed instructions to reinforce the proper use of social media by government employees. These instructions are designed to ensure that the conduct of government servants online aligns with the same standards expected of them in public forums or print media.
Government employees are specifically instructed to refrain from making political statements or participating in discussions on social media that could compromise their impartiality or objectivity. They are also warned against sharing or forwarding unverified or misleading information, particularly regarding government matters.
Ensuring Constructive Engagement
While the new guidelines are stringent, the government also acknowledges the constructive role that social media can play in governance. The memorandum clarifies that the rules are not intended to discourage government organizations from using social media to engage with the public. In fact, government entities are encouraged to use these platforms to solicit public feedback on policies, gather suggestions for improving service delivery, and address citizens’ complaints.
However, organizations must actively monitor their social media platforms to remove any offensive, inappropriate, or objectionable remarks. This ensures that public engagement remains respectful and aligned with the values of public service.
Disciplinary Measures for Violations
The memorandum concludes by warning that any violation of these social media guidelines will be considered misconduct and will lead to disciplinary action under the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020. This includes holding accountable not only the individuals who violate the rules but also the administrators of social media groups, if they are serving government servants.
All federal secretaries, additional secretaries, service or cadre administrators, chief secretaries, and heads of civil service academies have been directed to ensure that these guidelines are implemented in full. The government is committed to maintaining high standards of propriety among its employees, both online and offline, as it continues to navigate the complexities of the digital age.