Karachi Police Officer Arrested Over Facebook Post Targeting President Zardari

KARACHI: In a serious crackdown on online defamation, Karachi police have arrested one of their own officers, Station Investigation Officer (SIO) Abrar Shah, for allegedly posting obscene and offensive remarks about President Asif Ali Zardari on Facebook.

The post, made on April 2, 2025, was flagged by duty officer Yaqoob from Sukkun police station, who was monitoring social media activity. The FIR notes that the post targeted the ailing president using vulgar language, prompting public outrage. Yaqoob provided screenshots as evidence, and a case was registered under Section 504 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016.

Shah, who was stationed at Ibrahim Haidari police station, was arrested by Sukkun police. His case has now been handed over to an Investigation Officer (IO) for further proceedings.

This incident follows a broader digital crackdown. Three other cases were recently filed under PECA 2025 in Lahore’s Shahdara, Shahdara Town, and Kot Lakhpat police stations. These FIRs accuse unknown individuals of using artificial intelligence to fabricate manipulated videos aimed at defaming Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and promoting an anti-state narrative.

Police claim these videos are part of a coordinated political effort to stir unrest, though no arrests have been made in those cases yet.

Authorities are continuing investigations into both cases as concerns rise over the misuse of digital platforms for spreading propaganda and personal attacks.