Govt employees can no longer use social media without permission

• Govt orders against expressing opinions affecting its reputation.
• Strict action will be taken against public servants for violation.
• Guidelines not intended to ban "positive use of social media".

The Establishment Division has barred the government employees from using social media without permission to prevent disclosure of official information and documents.

In an office memorandum issued on Tuesday, the government has bound employees to abide by the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1964.

According to the memorandum, a government servant will not be able to use any social media application without permission.

"Government employees cannot express opinions or facts that affect the reputation of the government," read the memorandum, adding that employees are not allowed to speak against government policy, decisions, national sovereignty and dignity.

It added that public servants cannot express their opinion or rhetoric on social media without permission, while strict action will be taken against them for violation of the instructions.

The memorandum stated that a government servant cannot share official document and information with unrelated persons.

It maintained that employees cannot speak to the media in a way that affects relations with other countries.

"Civil servants have often been seen debating on social media. The guidelines are not intended to ban the positive use of social media," it read.

The memorandum also urged institutions to monitor their social media platforms to remove objectionable content.

"Government servants of all services, groups are bound to follow the instructions. Violation may lead to misconduct proceedings against the employees concerned," it maintained, directing federal secretaries, additional secretaries, heads of departments, chief secretaries execute the memorandum.