MARDAN: The Mardan city police on Monday registered the first-ever case against a local resident under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025 for his alleged negative propaganda and use of abuse language against the local press club and its members.

The police registered FIR on the complaint of press club president Riaz Mayar and general secretary Pervaz Khan Afridi against a resident, identified as Zahid, belonging to Dagai area.

In the FIR, the complainants said Zahid was not only using abusive language but also carried out negative propaganda against respectful and senior journalists of Mardan Press Club.

They complained that the accused was using social media and other digital media tools with the purpose to spread baseless allegations as well as disinformation about the journalists’ community.

The police said that they were conducting raids on different suspected hideouts to arrest the accused.

The office-bearers and members of the press club thanked the police officials for their quick action. They assured the police that they would fully cooperate with them and would also provide all necessary proofs and other related documents whenever needed.

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2025