Pakistani police have arrested eight TikTokers from different parts of Swabi district this week for allegedly displaying weapons on social media, according to media reports.
Speaking to Dawn News, police officer Waqas Rafiqe said the crackdown against young people showcasing firearms on social media would continue, warning that anyone involved in promoting gun culture across the district would face legal action.
He said the officer in charge of Chowki Azamabad arrested a young man after he uploaded pictures and videos of himself brandishing weapons online. The accused, a resident of Managai village, was allegedly creating an “environment of fear” and encouraging gun culture among local youth.
Police recovered weapons from his possession during the arrest, and a case has been registered against him. An investigation is currently underway.
Authorities said several other TikTokers were also arrested across the district after being identified by the Social Media Monitoring Cell.
Those arrested include one individual from Gandogher village who allegedly 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 reportedly “posing like movie heroes with weapons in their hands” on social media, Dawn News reported.
Police said the operation is part of a broader effort to curb the glorification of weapons online and discourage the spread of gun culture among the youth.
