Anti-hate speech drive

LAHORE
On the International Peace Day, an NGO launched an anti-hate speech campaign “Bolo Zimadari Se” in 45 districts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
Through this campaign about 0.5 million people of Pakistan are also to be educated through Short Message Service (SMS) about the negative impacts of hate speech in Pakistan. The launching ceremony was held at a local hotel on Monday and was attended by people hailing from different walks of life including members of assemblies, politicians, media, lawyers, community members and leading civil society organisations of Pakistan. SAP-Pakistan has launched this campaign under “Awaz Accountability Programme” in collaboration with its partner organisations AF, SPO and Sungi Development Foundation.
This campaign aims to create awareness regarding responsible citizenship, bring amendments in laws affecting religious minorities, strictly ban hate speech and hate material available in all forms including in curriculum.
Human rights activist from Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) I.A Rehman said the campaign was more important than any other campaign because it would help make people choosy and responsible for their words. Executive Director National Commission for Justice and Peace emphasised media to play its role for discouraging hate speech.
MPA Mary Gill said that all available laws discouraging hate speech should be implemented in letter and spirit.