Renowned singer and former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member Salman Ahmed has been booked under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) for allegedly spreading propaganda against national security institutions and the state on social media platforms.
The case was registered at the Defence A police station in Lahore based on a complaint from the police. According to the First Information Report (FIR), Salman Ahmed allegedly shared false and hateful content on his X (formerly Twitter) account, where he has a following of over 265,000. A police officer on duty reportedly witnessed the controversial post firsthand.
The FIR states that the post not only targeted state institutions but also incited public unrest and hate. Legal action was initiated in line with the newly amended PECA Act 2025, which empowers authorities to curb digital content that is deemed unlawful or damaging to the country's ideological integrity.
Salman Ahmed had already been expelled from PTI in December 2024 for similar reasons. The party accused him of creating internal divisions and consistently posting provocative content despite repeated warnings.
The PECA Amendment Act 2025, signed into law by President Asif Ali Zardari, has introduced sweeping changes to Pakistan's cybercrime laws. A key highlight includes the formation of the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority (SMPRA), which now oversees all content on digital platforms. The new law aims to regulate online spaces, with provisions to block content that incites violence, spreads misinformation, or defames state institutions.
As Salman Ahmed’s case unfolds, it is likely to become a test case under the newly enforced digital laws of Pakistan.
