Karachi cop arrested over offensive Facebook comment about President Zardari

A police officer in Karachi has been booked and arrested for sharing a social media post deemed inflammatory and hurtful to the sentiments of the Pakistani people. The post allegedly targeted former President Asif Ali Zardari.

The case was registered on the complaint of duty officer ASI Muhammad Yaqoob in Karachi’s Sukkun police station, under Section 504 of the Prevention Electronic Crime Act (PECA), 2016, stating that Station Investigation Officer (SIO) Abrar Shah’s comment on social media prompted him to take legal action. 

“On April 2, I was scrolling through my Facebook ID when I came across a post by ASI Abrar Shah,” Yaqoob stated. “He used inappropriate language for President Zardari.”

During the registration of the FIR, Yaqoob also included Abrar's comment, which read, “I’m surprised how BB chose such a wicked, evil-minded goon and dirty person as her husband.”

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Complainant Yaqoob stated that the message made it clear that “Abrar has written indecorous remarks for acting President Zardari, which not only exasperated me as an SIO but also disappointed the nation.”

Following the complaint, SIO Abrar was taken into custody by Sukkun police and is currently being interrogated.

Earlier, Punjab police had registered cases under the PECA law against individuals accused of spreading propaganda on social media against Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and state institutions.

The cases were filed at Shahdara Kot Lakhpat police stations of Lahore, with charges, including provisions of the PECA. Specifically, the accused allegedly used artificial intelligence to create and disseminate fake videos featuring Maryam Nawaz aimed at advancing the agenda of anti-state elements.