A WhatsApp group administrator has been arrested under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 for allegedly allowing a defamatory post targeting Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to circulate in the group.
The case, registered at Farid Nagar police station, accuses a group member of sharing the offensive content while the admin failed to take action against its spread.
According to the FIR, dated January 23, the post contained “dirty language” and was shared through the group member’s phone number.
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The group administrator, a Shaheed Nagar resident, is alleged to have knowingly allowed the post to remain, providing an opportunity for others to view it.
The FIR cites violations of Section 20 of PECA (offenses against personal dignity) and Section 509 of the Pakistan Penal Code (insulting modesty).
District Police Officer (DPO) Pakpattan Javed Iqbal Chaddar confirmed the arrest, stating, “A suspect shared a malicious and insulting post against the chief minister in the group, leading to the admin’s arrest.”
The police acted swiftly after the post went viral on social media. Sub-Inspector Muhammad Mansha filed the complaint, which led to the arrest by SHO Rana Shehzad Akram.
Further investigations are ongoing, with the DPO emphasizing the police’s commitment to curbing the misuse of social media platforms for spreading hate.