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RAWALPINDI: In an ongoing crackdown against digital offenses, Rawalpindi police have registered a case under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 against a shop owner for allegedly inciting public resentment through a viral social media post.
The complaint, lodged at Cantt Police Station by Traffic Warden Imran Sikandar, accuses the individual of spreading misleading content online. The case has been filed under Section 21(1)(d) of PECA 2016, which pertains to the misuse of digital content with malicious intent.
Incident Details
According to the FIR, the accused recorded and uploaded a video of a vehicle being towed outside a shop on Kashmir Road. The traffic police had legally issued a parking violation ticket prior to removing the vehicle. Despite this, the video was shared on social media, allegedly to provoke negative sentiment against the authorities.
Traffic official Imran Sikandar stated that the video was posted by the TikTok account “Rizwan Singer,” and it quickly gained traction online. The police claim the footage misrepresented the situation, misleading viewers about the lawfulness of the vehicle’s removal.
Legal and Government Stance
The case marks the second instance of action taken under PECA in Rawalpindi within a short span. Authorities stress that such digital content falls under the purview of the law, criminalizing misinformation and attempts to incite public outrage.
A police spokesperson reinforced the government’s stance, stating, “Breaking the law, misinformation and negative propaganda cannot be allowed under the guise of freedom of expression.” Officials warn that any post spreading misinformation or undermining state institutions will face strict action under PECA.
In January 2025, amendments to PECA introduced stricter penalties, including Section 26(A), which penalizes individuals for disseminating false information designed to create panic or unrest. The new provisions stipulate punishments of up to three years in prison, fines up to Rs2 million, or both.
Recent Crackdown on Digital Misinformation
The latest action follows a similar case last week, in which Rawalpindi police arrested an individual named Muhammad Rehan for an inappropriate social media post. Authorities reaffirm their commitment to curbing digital offenses, ensuring that online spaces are not used to spread false narratives against public institutions.
Police have launched an investigation into the latest incident and urge the public to exercise caution when sharing content that could potentially violate digital laws.
