PAKPATTAN:
A WhatsApp group admin has been arrested for allegedly allowing a derogatory message targeting Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to circulate in the group under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016.
A complaint filed at the Farid Nagar police station accuses a member of the group of sharing an offensive post and the administrator of turning a blind eye to its distribution.
According to the first information report (FIR) dated January 23, the message, described as containing “foul language”, was uploaded via the group member’s mobile number.
The group’s administrator, a resident of Shaheed Nagar, allegedly did not remove the defamatory post despite knowing it was “immoral, offensive and illegal”. Instead, he is accused of “giving other members of the group the opportunity to view the message” and of trying to “sow chaos among the public.”
The FIR cites violations of Section 20 of the PECA (Outrages upon the dignity of a natural person) and Section 509 of the Pakistan Penal Code (Indecent assault or sexual harassment).
District Police Officer (DPO) Pakpattan Javed Iqbal Chaddar confirmed the arrest under the old PECA Act in Pakpattan.
“A suspect posted a malicious and insulting message against the Punjab Chief Minister in the WhatsApp group. The group admin has been arrested,” he said.
According to the DPO, the Farid Nagar police acted promptly on his orders after the post went viral on social media. Sub-inspector Muhammad Mansha, the complainant, lodged a complaint, prompting SHO Rana Shehzad Akram to arrest the accused.
“Further investigation is underway,” the DPO said, adding that the police were determined to combat the misuse of social media platforms to spread hatred or unrest.
