SAHIWAL: The police arrested a man in the Chichawatni blasphemy case, who allegedly hacked the Facebook account of a man who is in police custody and posted blasphemous comments on Sept 20.

District Police Officer Fasil Shahzad told Dawn that police examined the mobile phone records and uncovered hate material. The phone has been sent for forensic analysis.

Reliable sources confirmed the social media account hacker was arrested in the vicinity of Rawalpindi. During questioning, he said he posted the blasphemy accusation against the victim to settle personal scores.

The suspect was presented before anti-terrorism court judge, who granted the Chichawatni police remand until Oct 10.

The Chichawatni police had initially implicated the Facebook account holder in the blasphemy case. A case was registered against him under PPC 295 (C) and section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act-1997, following a complaint by Shamsul Hasan, assistant sub-inspector at Saddar Police Station, Chichawatni, on Sept 21.

To maintain order, police engaged with residents and various religious organizations by involving a peace committee, village elders, and the Chichawatni Bar Association.

Law enforcement personnel were deployed in plainclothes around the residence of Facebook account holder to prevent any unrest.

His wife and three children were relocated to an undisclosed safe location for their protection.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2024