By On January 25, 2025, a WhatsApp group administrator in Pakpattan, Pakistan, was arrested under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) for allegedly permitting a derogatory post targeting Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to circulate within the group. The incident began when a group member shared an offensive post, described as containing “dirty language,” via their mobile device.
The administrator is accused of failing to remove the defamatory content despite being aware of its “immoral, offensive, and illegal” nature. Instead, he is alleged to have “provided an opportunity for other group members to view the post” and attempted to “spread chaos among the public.”
The arrest highlights the legal responsibilities of WhatsApp group administrators in Pakistan, who can be held accountable for content shared within their groups under PECA. This law has been widely criticized as a black law created mainly to punish dissent. The case underscores the importance of monitoring and managing content within digital communication platforms to prevent the spread of misinformation and maintain public order.
