THE army chief said that while the army understands its constitutional limits, those who criticize the army should also be aware of the constitutional boundaries set by Article 19 of the Constitution which subjects all citizens to reasonable restrictions imposed by law which inter alia include: integrity, security or defense of Pakistan, public order, decency and morality. The army chief’s speech at the passing-out parade of cadets at Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in Risalpur on 2 May 2024 was seen as a calculated and well-timed response to politicians, media personnel and social media activists who have been unjustly criticizing the army and called for the army to uphold its oath which includes respecting the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and refraining from engaging in any political activities.

The army chief’s words can be interpreted as a rebuke to those who are using traditional and social media to condemn the army. He seems to be implying that the army knows its responsibilities and no one has the right to dictate its actions. Instead, individuals should be mindful of their own actions and avoid crossing the boundaries set by Article 19 of the Constitution. Interestingly, the abuse and condemnation of the army on social media platforms are not unique to Pakistan. For example, in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, India, and others, the military has been subjected to criticism and abuse on social media on account of political differences, human rights concerns and accountability issues. These countries have also implemented various remedial actions.

In the United States, the Communications Decency Act of........

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