16 Vloggers and TikTokers Arrested in Pakistan for Spreading Fake Rape News

Lahore:

Law enforcement has arrested more than a dozen vloggers and TikTok users, accusing them of spreading fake stories about the alleged rape of a schoolgirl that sparked violent protests in Punjab province a week ago.

Police have also identified 40 students involved in vandalism and violence, senior Punjab police officer Imran Kishwar said on Saturday.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and local police arrested 16 people, mostly vloggers and TikTokers, during the week for allegedly spreading a fake rape story, he said, adding that those identified for vandalism and violence will be arrested. soon.

“We also blocked 138 social media accounts that spread false news about the incident,” he said.

The FIA ​​said the technical reports of its cyber crime wing identified the social media accounts of 38 senior journalists, lawyers, vloggers and TikTok users who shared news allegedly fake propaganda and incited the public to loot the government. private infrastructure.

At least 50 students were injured and a security guard was killed last week during mass protests that turned violent in several cities in Punjab province following a social media report about a female student allegedly raped by a security guard at a women’s college in Lahore. Police also detained more than 600 students.

An investigation committee later constituted by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz found no evidence of rape at the university nor could it find any eyewitnesses.

The committee interviewed approximately 28 students who stated that they heard about the incident from others. The committee’s report stated that the issue was sensationalized through social media posts.

Maryam Nawaz accused former jailed prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf of exploiting the issue through social media.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is syndicated.)