K-P police enforce province-wide ban on social media use by officers

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) police has imposed a ban on social media use by police officers across the province.

A directive has been issued to all regional, city, and district police officers (RPOs, CPOs, and DPOs), instructing them to enforce the new rule.

According to an official statement, police officers are no longer allowed to use TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram. The ban also extends to the use of WhatsApp by officers and personnel.

The move aims to restrict social media engagement by police officers while on duty to maintain discipline and focus.

A man impersonating a police officer by wearing a uniform and creating TikTok videos has been arrested on Wednesday in Karachi, according to SSP Korangi Touheed Rehman Memon.

The arrest was made during a routine patrol by Al-Falah police, where the suspect was caught filming TikTok videos while dressed as a police officer.

The suspect, identified as Atif alias Vicky Babu, had previously gone viral on social media for his videos.

A case has been registered against the impersonator at the Al-Falah police station.

On September 4, two police constables, including a female official, faced suspension in the Sindh province for creating TikTok videos while on duty.

The videos went viral on social media, prompting police officers to take action.

According to Karachi's South Zone Police, DIG South Syed Asad Raza took notice of the viral video and ordered the suspension of the female constable, Maria Gil, who was stationed at the Gizri police station. He also demanded a report from her regarding the incident.

In the TikTok video, the suspended female officer disclosed her duty location, saying, "guys I am here, whoever wants to meet me can come here." DIG South emphasized that the police department is a professional institution, and such irresponsible behaviour is not tolerated.

Similarly, SSP City Arif Aziz took strict notice of a TikTok video from the Baghdadi police station, showing Constable Zeeshan displaying firearms.

The SSP ordered the officer's suspension and instructed him to report to his office. SSP Aziz stated that the constable had recorded the video in 2022, but it was uploaded on TikTok in 2023.

He further clarified that no police officer is permitted to misuse or display firearms in such a manner.