Bhakkar police have booked a local doctor under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) for allegedly posting critical remarks about Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Facebook.
The case was registered based on a complaint from a security official who objected to the doctor’s statements. This move has sparked widespread debate on social media, with many questioning the involvement of security personnel in such cases.
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Dr. Shehryar, a senior surgeon formerly at Mayo Hospital, was reportedly charged over certain videos. His last social media post was addressed to his patients. The incident has fueled concerns about the use of cybercrime laws to suppress political dissent.
Interestingly, six months ago, the Punjab Inspector General (IG) had prohibited police personnel from using social media during duty hours. However, reports suggest Bhakkar police officers were actively engaging on social media when the case was filed.
The registration of this case has intensified discussions on the application of cyber laws, with critics arguing that such actions curb free speech. Many social media users have voiced concerns over the increasing crackdown on dissenting opinions.
