Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police have arrested several TikTokers for allegedly creating “immoral” and “indecent” content. Most of the cases are registered under Section 294 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which criminalises obscene acts and songs in public places. DRM has seen copies of the FIRs.
The police in Swabi, Mardan, Peshawar, and Mansehra carried out raids after receiving complaints from local residents. Officials say the arrests are part of a wider crackdown on “objectionable” online content.
In Swabi, police arrested a young man on September 6 for making videos while wearing women’s clothes. The FIR accuses him of lip-syncing to “vulgar songs” and spreading obscenity online. A day earlier, on September 5, another TikToker in the same district was taken into custody on similar charges.
In Mansehra, police booked a man for using abusive language and performing “indecent acts” during a TikTok live session. According to police statements, the accused TikToker admitted to producing “immoral” content and pledged not to repeat it.
Pakistan has more than 50 million TikTok users, making it the seventh-largest market for the app worldwide. TikTok has faced repeated bans in the country for its failure to restrict “immoral” material, according to the regulators.
Despite repeated blocks, TikTok remains extremely popular, particularly among young people in smaller towns and rural areas. The app’s design encourages short, eye-catching videos. Its live feature also allows creators to earn money through virtual gifts. Some creators argue that the push for income drives people to produce low-quality or offensive material. Content creators say the platform rewards “low-quality” and controversial videos because they drive higher engagement.
Legal experts, on the other hand, remain divided. Supreme Court lawyer Saifullah Kakakhel said freedom of expression has limits. “Spreading obscene or offensive content on public platforms is not allowed under international law or Pakistan’s Constitution,” he said. He added that the government should invest in awareness campaigns to encourage quality content creation.
The arrests have reignited a debate in Pakistan over where to draw the line between free expression and public morality.
Digital rights activists warn that vague laws like Section 294 of the PPC allow broad police discretion and can be misused. They argue that young content creators are being targeted for experimenting online, while systemic online harms such as disinformation and harassment often go unchecked.
Critics also highlight the lack of digital literacy campaigns in the country. While millions of young people use TikTok daily, few receive guidance on online ethics, digital safety, or monetisation opportunities beyond controversial content.
