ISLAMABAD: Authorities in the federal capital have taken a citizen into custody for allegedly likening the Tarnol Railway crossing to the Strait of Hormuz in a social media post, a comparison that police claim constitutes a violation of public order.
The arrest followed a First Information Report (FIR) registered at the behest of the state on the complaint of a police officer. According to the document, the accused, identified as Khurram, a resident of Dhok Paracha, posted a message online stating that the Tarnol Railway Crossing was “no less than the Strait of Hormuz” and suggested that its closure would resolve local issues. The comparison references the strategically vital maritime route currently paralysed by the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Law enforcement officials tracked the post after it went viral, eventually apprehending the suspect at Tarnol Chowk. Investigators confirmed the presence of social media post on the suspect’s mobile device upon his arrest. The FIR invokes multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including Section 188 for disobedience to public orders, Section 341 for wrongful restraint and Section 511, which pertains to attempting offences punishable with imprisonment.
The police action comes amid a heightened security environment in the twin cities, as the government has strictly enforced Section 144 to maintain public order. This vigilance is particularly acute as Islamabad prepares for a high-stakes second round of negotiations between the United States and Iran. Authorities noted that the social media post was viewed as a potential disruption to the delicate security measures currently in place across the capital.
