Pakistani musician Salman Ahmad, known as a founding member of the iconic band Junoon, was charged under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act for allegedly sharing content that seemed harmful for the state institutions.
The case was registered at a Defence police station in Lahore, accusing the singer of spreading untrue and hateful material targeting national security bodies. The FIR was registered on the spot.
The report stated that Ahmad, with over 265,000 followers on X, shared posts classified as propaganda against state institutions. A police officer identified one of the viral posts while on duty, taking legal action.
The charges fell under PECA’s cybercrime provisions, which controlled online content that incited hatred or undermined state security. Salman Ahmad, a prominent figure in Pakistan’s music scene, was historically vocal about these social and political issues.
However, authorities claimed that his recent posts crossed legal boundaries. Supporters argued that the case raised concerns about the freedom of expression, while critics insisted that no one should escape accountability for possibly destabilising content.
If convicted, Ahmad might face fines or imprisonment under the PECA rules. The case sparked debate about balancing national security concerns and digital rights in Pakistan’s evolving cyber laws.
This development marks a high moment for Pakistan’s entertainment industry, where public figures increasingly walk on eggshells and tightropes between activism and legal constraints. As the law says, “The accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law”.