PACK PATTAN:
A WhatsApp group administrator was arrested for allegedly allowing a derogatory post targeting Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to circulate in the group under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016.
A case, filed at the Farid Nagar police station, accuses a group member of sharing an offensive post and the administrator of turning a blind eye to its spread.
According to the first information report (FIR) dated January 23, the post, described as containing “foul language”, was uploaded through the group member’s mobile number.
The group administrator, a resident of Shaheed Nagar, is said to have failed to delete the defamatory post despite knowing it was “immoral, offensive and illegal”. Instead, he is accused of “providing an opportunity for other group members to see the post” and trying to “spread chaos among the public”.
The FIR cites violations under Section 20 of PECA (offenses against the dignity of a natural person) and Section 509 of the Pakistan Penal Code (insulting modesty or causing 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 post against the Punjab Chief Minister in the WhatsApp group. The group administrator has been arrested,” he explained.
According to the DPO, the Farid Nagar police acted immediately on his orders after the post went viral on social media. Sub-Inspector Muhammad Mansha, the complainant, registered the case, prompting SHO Rana Shehzad Akram to arrest the accused.
“Further investigation is underway,” the DPO said, adding that police were committed to addressing misuse of social media platforms to spread hatred or unrest.
