The Islamabad police arrested on April 24, 2026 a man over a social media joke in which he equated Tarnol railway crossing to the Strait of Hormuz, it has been reported.
A case was registered against the man at the Tarnol Police Station under sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant), 341 (punishment for wrongful restrains), and 511 (punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or for a shorter term) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
The suspect has been accused of posting content suggesting that blocking Tarnol Phatak in a manner similar to the Strait of Hormuz could help resolve prevailing issues.
The closure of the strait has disrupted the supply of a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies and caused a global energy crisis. Iran closed the shipping route after the US and Israel began their unprovoked attacks on Iran on 28 February.
According to the FIR, in the context of the current national situation, such remarks amounted to a violation of Section 144, which was imposed in Islamabad to maintain public order and prevent actions that may incite unrest.
Acting on a tip-off from a special informant, the Tarnol police apprehended the suspect at Tarnol Chowk, the FIR added, saying that a subsequent examination of his mobile phone corroborated the information received. The FIR further said that the suspect violated the orders of the authorised authorities and incited the public to block Tarnol Phatak. It said the suspect was taken into custody and that legal proceedings had been initiated in accordance with the law.
It added that strict action was being taken against individuals who spread content on social media that could disrupt peace or encourage unlawful activities.
