Rawalpindi’s ongoing crackdown on digital offenses has taken a new turn as the city’s traffic police registered a case under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) against a citizen for allegedly spreading misinformation via social media. The case, lodged at Cantt Police Station, stems from a viral TikTok video that authorities claim was intended to incite public resentment against the police.
The complaint was filed by Traffic Warden Imran Sikandar, who stated that the issue arose when he and his team were performing their duties along Kashmir Road. According to Sikandar, a vehicle parked incorrectly outside a local business, Hussain Autos, was towed after being issued a formal challan ticket for the violation. However, the situation escalated when a video surfaced on the TikTok account “Rizwan Singer,” allegedly operated by the shop owner. The footage depicted the towing process but was accompanied by what the police describe as “false and misleading claims” designed to portray the traffic police in a negative light and provoke public outrage.
“Despite the legal action of issuing a challan and towing the vehicle, the accused deliberately recorded and shared the video with a fabricated narrative to malign our efforts,” Sikandar explained in his statement to the press. He emphasized that such actions violate PECA provisions, which explicitly criminalize the dissemination of misinformation and content aimed at stirring unrest against state institutions, including law enforcement.
The traffic police have since launched a thorough investigation into the matter, vowing to take strict action against those found guilty of exploiting digital platforms to undermine public order. “Social media is a powerful tool, but it comes with responsibility. We will not tolerate its misuse to spread lies and create chaos,” a senior traffic official commented, requesting anonymity due to the ongoing nature of the case.
This incident marks another chapter in Rawalpindi’s broader efforts to curb digital offenses under PECA, reflecting growing concerns over the impact of unchecked online content. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are urging citizens to verify information before sharing and to report any suspicious activity directly to the police rather than taking matters into the digital sphere. The accused has yet to issue a public response to the allegations.
