Promoting Peace and Tolerance: Addressing Hate Speech Challenges in Pakistan

Pakistan is a country where people belonging to various Religions, Sects, Ethnic Groups, Languages & Social backgrounds, live together in its four provinces. Since its inception 919470, the country is facing huge and high level challenges regarding peace, harmony, intolerance and one of the major reasons is the Hate Speeches.

Though the country has worked on legislation regarding prohibition and control of hate speech and it can be viewed in the Section 505 (2) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) that makes creating or promoting “feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities” similarly an Act has also been passed which does exist, while with regard to practical implementation there are hick-ups and hindrances, it indicates and seems that there is some sort of Policy Gap/s as the regime fails to stop and halt the issue and problem. Usually Hate Speeches spread through the electronic and print media, and the concerned authorities lack control over the print and electronic media which plays an evil role in promoting Hate Speeches.

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At one end, efforts are made to counter Hate Speech through schools, colleges and universities and for the purpose material, topics and chapters on peace, tolerance, respect, humanity and inter-faith harmony are enhanced in curriculum and textbooks, as a good amount of material is present in Textbooks to inspire children and students at grass root level, but practical implementation to boost the concept is lacking. There are no actions, activities and events at social levels therefore, the efforts to implement the concept and achieve the target fails.

Youth-Led Solutions: Countering Hate Speech for a United Pakistan

The Legislation and Policies need to be further advanced specifically in terms of practicality to boost the implementation process. I strongly believe that the Youth can play a significant role if they are brought forward to lead, the youth are the most influential and strong representatives, negotiators and mediators having the potentials to address this challenge, they are capable enough to counter the production and advancement of Hate Speech, to discourage all such movements (Hate Speech) arising from any corner or any print and electronic media, the youth has also the potential and courage to convince the society in a much better and smooth way.

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Further to the above, Policy, plans & activities are essential for schools, colleges and universities which could develop and promote discouraging attitude and behavior towards Hate Speech within the localities and societies. In addition, punishment and penalties as per the law needs to tightened up which is unfortunately not followed strictly as well as not implemented properly which could also minimize and control raise and advancement of Hate Speech.

Last but not the least, I would be glad to place some recommendations on the subject, such as;

1. Proper implementation of policy, Laws & Acts on Hate Speech and Strict Implementation of penalties and punishments regardless of religious, political, ethnic, social or cultural affiliations/ connections.
2. Continuous programs/ events/ activities in schools, colleges and universities, like; Seminars & Conferences, social sittings, Group/ Panel Discussions, Awareness Raising Campaigns (Leading by Youth) Lectures and provision of Literature and Print Material.
3. Plans & Actions for Promoting Joint Celebrations of Religious & Cultural events at district, provincial and national levels. (lead by students of colleges and universities).
4. Establishment of platforms at school, college and university levels to counter hate speech.
5. Raise public awareness about the hazards of Hate Speech through print material (lead by students/ youth).
6. Increase and enhance positive and productive messages of peace, tolerance & harmony using all possible means of communication.
7. Support all those association, groups and organizations fighting to encounter Hate Speech.
8. Identify and Support all those groups, societies, people & minorities who are targets of hate speech.