Skardu activist held for ‘derogatory’ WhatsApp posts against army chief

GILGIT: Sikardu Police on Thursday arrested an activist for allegedly making “critical and derogatory” remarks against army chief Gen Syed Asim Munir in a WhatsApp group.

According to a First Information Report (FIR) registered at the Skardu City Police Station, Sher Ali — a member of the Awami Action Committee (AAC) Kharmang — allegedly made derogatory and provocative statements against the army chief in the group.

He has been charged under Sections 500 (defamation), 504 (intentional insult), and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

“The accused, Sher Ali, deliberately posted offensive and derogatory comments against the Army Chief on WhatsApp/social media, attempting to defame both the public and the military leadership,” reads the FIR.

After his arrest, Sher Ali was presented before a civil court judge, who granted the police physical remand for further investigation.

Following the arrest, the Awami Action Committee (AAC) Kharmang held an emergency meeting, strongly condemning Sher Ali’s detention. Speaking to the media afterward, AAC Kharmang leader Shabbir Mayar demanded Ali’s immediate release and warned that if he was not freed within 24 hours, the group would stage a sit-in on Shahrah-e-Kargil.

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“The arrest is not only an attack on freedom of expression but also a blatant violation of democratic values—no condemnation is strong enough,” he added.