Bhakkar Doctor Booked Under Cybercrime Law for Facebook Post on Maryam Nawaz
Bhakkar police have registered a case against a local doctor under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) after he allegedly posted critical remarks about Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Facebook.
Case Sparks Controversy
According to reports, the case was filed by a security official who objected to the doctor’s remarks. The move has sparked a heated debate on social media, with many questioning the role of security personnel in handling online criticism.
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Who is Dr. Shehryar?
Dr. Shehryar, a senior surgeon and former Mayo Hospital practitioner, was reportedly charged based on certain videos. Interestingly, his last social media post was addressed to his patients, raising concerns about the use of cybercrime laws to suppress political dissent.
Police’s Own Social Media Usage Under Scrutiny
Notably, six months ago, the Punjab Inspector General (IG) had banned police officials from using social media during duty hours. However, reports indicate that Bhakkar police officers were actively using social media when they registered the case.
Growing Concerns Over Free Speech
The case has reignited concerns over the application of cyber laws, with critics arguing that such actions stifle free speech and discourage political discourse. Many social media users have expressed alarm over what they see as a growing crackdown on dissenting voices.
