Action launched against 15 Mansehra police personnel over TikTok videos

MANSEHRA: The police department has begun disciplinary proceedings against 15 personnel in Mansehra, including three women officers, for uploading videos in uniform on TikTok and other social media platforms.

Police spokesperson Mohammad Sohail told journalists that the personnel had been directed to report to police lines from their respective stations. He said, "So far, 15 male and female police personnel have been ordered to report to police lines from their respective stations. They will be punished under relevant sections of the law upon completion of the inquiry." adding that the action was initiated on the instructions of Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed.

According to the spokesperson, the personnel had already been warned, along with the rest of the district police force, that strict legal action would be taken if they were found posting content on social media while on duty. He said the department’s social media cell in the district was monitoring TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and other platforms and was continuing efforts to identify additional personnel involved in similar activity.

Mr Sohail said the officials concerned had been given seven days to submit their replies, while the inquiry process had already started. A show-cause notice issued to them stated that some police officials had shown irresponsible conduct by taking part in inappropriate activities on social media, which brought disrepute to the department and went against public interest.

The police department has also imposed a ban on the use of smartphones during duty hours.

Road project inaugurated in Torghar

In a separate development, the Harneel Bassikhel road was inaugurated on Thursday with Rs70 million approved by the district development advisory committee of Torghar.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Judbah, the district headquarters of Torghar, Harneel village council chairman Azizur Rehman said the road would improve travel facilities for local residents. He said, "This road would provide better travelling services to locals." and added that the provincial government had also cleared other major development schemes in the district aimed at improving communication links.

Mr Rehman further said work was continuing on the Kotkay central bridge over the Indus River with an allocation of Rs14 billion. He said that although Torghar’s tribal status was changed to that of a settled district in 2011, the area had continued to lag behind in development and prosperity.