A notification has been circulated online claiming that the Government of Pakistan has imposed a ban on the publication, distribution, and promotion of the writings of renowned short story writer Saadat Hasan Manto by deeming his writing obscene and contrary to public decency and morality.

 

The notification, inscribed with the date of June 22, 2025, claims to be issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (National Heritage and Culture Division).

 

The notification reads, “All educational institutions across Pakistan are instructed to remove the works of Saadat Hasan Manto from their syllabi, libraries, and reading lists effective immediately.”

 

All electronic and print media outlets have been instructed to prohibit publishing or airing any writing or excerpts of the author, the notification noted. It further advised social media platforms and digital content distributors to take down all content based on Manto’s writing.

 

The notification said that if the instructions are not followed, then legal action shall be initiated under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and other applicable laws.

 

Similarly, as per the notification, booksellers, publishers, and online vendors were directed to cease the sale and circulation of all books authored by Manto.

 

The notification was circulated on social media platforms, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), which it can be seen here, and here.

 

Is the notification real?

 

The Current examined the notification closely and found it to be fabricated based on the fact that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s website has not published any such notification.

 

The notification also lacks  public announcement or media coverage. Additionally, a keyword search has also not found any such notification being issued officially.

 

Meanwhile, historical precedent exists for the censorship of Manto’s works. One of the greatest writers of the Urdu language, Manto was known for his brutally realistic portrayal of life and its stinging moral and political commentary. 

 

Manto was put on trial several times for spreading obscenity through his short story Thanda Gosht and was penalised for writing something that may have been violent and explicit.