SWABI: Eight TikTokers belonging to different regions of Swabi were arrested on Thursday and Friday by district police for displaying weapons on social media, the district police officer said.

The officer, Waqas Rafiqe, said that the crackdown against young people displaying arms on social media would continue and that anyone involved in such practices across the district would be arrested and face the law.

The Chowki Azamabad incharge arrested a youth who uploaded pictures and videos of himself brandishing weapons on social media, he said, adding that the accused — a resident of Managai village — was creating an “environment of fear” and promoting gun culture among the youth. The weapons were recovered from his possession upon his arrest.

A case has been registered against the accused and further investigation has begun.

Other TikTokers have also been arrested across the district upon identification by the Social Media Monitoring Cell. These include one from Gandogher village who had displayed a Kalashnikov, two from Tat Corona Charbagh in Razaar tehsil, one from Kadi Rashkai, one from Pajman village, and two residents of Parmuli who were reported to have been “posing like movie heroes with weapons in their hands” on social media.

Parmuli police officials said that the videos “had a negative impact on the young generation”, adding that the displayed weapons were recovered.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2026