Action sought against fake social media accounts

MANSEHRA: People from various segments of the society, including local government representatives, demanded that the police and the cybercrime wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) take action against fake social media accounts allegedly uploading obscene and pornographic content.

“This jirga demands immediate and strict action against the gangs blackmailing youth through social media locally and continuing to upload child pornographic videos on various platforms,” Tahir Khan Swati, Chairman of Village Council Chajar Syedain, told the jirga held at the Tehsil Council Hall in Oghi.

The jirga voiced grave concern over the recent upload of obscene video clips featuring young boys, adding that those involved in such heinous crimes often escape justice.“Respectable citizens are also being targeted, trolled, and humiliated through false content posted on fake Facebook and other social media accounts,” Swati said.

He added that some youths had even helped police in arresting a gang that blackmailed local boys.“When their demands were not fulfilled, such gangs uploaded manipulated video content through fake accounts here,” Swati added.

Another local, Momin Khan Usmani, said that Oghi police had arrested such a group and seized around 450 obscene video clips, which was an alarming situation for the community.“If law enforcement agencies do not immediately crack down on these fake social media accounts, we will take to the streets and block Milad Chowk to all types of traffic,” he warned.

The jirga also formed a committee comprising chairmen of all 38 village councils in Oghi Tehsil to expel those putting obscene, child pornographic and misleading content on social media platforms explicitly and implicitly.Later, jirga members visited the Oghi police station and discussed the cases of those recently arrested on charges of uploading pornographic content through fake social media accounts.