GILGIT: Police arrested four persons in Gilgit-Baltistan on Wednesday on a charge of sharing “blasphemous content” on social media after protesters took to the streets to vent their outrage over the derogatory posts.

The protesters blocked the Karakoram Highway at several points in Gilgit, calling for action against the culprits. The demonstrators dispersed peacefully after the authorities assured them that steps would be taken to arrest the individuals responsible for offending religious sensibilities.

The arrests came during a crackdown against “elements spreading communal hatred and blasphemous material” on social media, according to a police statement.

“Police took action und­er a zero-tolerance policy against elements offending religious sentiments or undermining harmony through social media,” the statement said.

Police did not name the four arrested individuals. The authorities have requested the public to cooperate with police in identifying such elements.

According to a separate statement, police arrested a resident of Gil­git’s Naumal area on a charge of sharing “derogatory content” on social media. A case was registered against him under sections 298 and 153 of the PPC and also under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Caretaker home minister Sajid Ali Baig said at a press conference that the government would carry out a thorough investigation to nab the people involved in stoking disharmony and “exemplary punishment” would be given to them.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2026