Musician and former PTI member Salman Ahmad has been booked by Lahore police under the Cybercrime Law (PECA 2016) for allegedly posting "hateful" content on social media against national institutions and important personalities.

 

A case was filed on April 4 at Lahore’s Defence A Police Station following a complaint from Sub-Inspector Ikram Hussain. The FIR includes several serious charges, such as hate speech, insulting others online, defaming others, and provoking people to create trouble or spread hate.

 

According to the FIR, “false and hurtful” content is being spread online against state institutions by some individuals whose posts are based on fake news and baseless allegations aimed at confusing the public and eroding trust in national figures.

 

The police claim to have identified a post on X (formerly Twitter) from Salman Ahmad’s account, which has over 265,000 followers. The FIR states that this post was “hateful and intended to provoke people” against national institutions.

 

Salman Ahmad, who is currently living abroad, was removed from PTI in December 2024 after he criticised Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, online during the November 26 protests. His post received a great deal of backlash from PTI supporters.

 

PECA 2016 has often been referred to as a “black law” by human rights groups, journalists, and political workers, who believe it is being used to silence dissent and target those who speak out.

 

In fact, the law was recently amended in January this year, which prompted a walkout by PTI lawmakers and journalists during the National Assembly session.

 

Earlier in 2025, another case under PECA was reported when the admin of a WhatsApp group in Pakpattan was arrested for allowing a post that allegedly insulted Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.