Man in Pakistan Charged with Murder Following WhatsApp Dispute
PESHAWAR, Pakistan — A man has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting the administrator of a community WhatsApp group who had removed him from the chat, according to local police reports.
The incident occurred on Thursday evening in Regi, a neighborhood on the outskirts of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which is known for its history of sectarian strife.
Police have identified the suspect as Ashfaq Khan, who has been charged with the murder of Mushtaq Ahmed. The conflict initiated when Mushtaq removed Ashfaq from the WhatsApp group after an argument. In an effort to resolve their issues, the two men agreed to meet; however, Ashfaq allegedly arrived armed and opened fire, killing Mushtaq instantly.
The police report indicated that although both individuals were attempting to settle their differences, Ashfaq suddenly drew his weapon and fired. The motive for the attack was described in the report as a “reaction to removal from the WhatsApp group.”
Humayun Khan, the brother of the deceased, recounted the incident to Arab News, stating he was present but had no awareness of the underlying dispute. “My brother Mushtaq and Ashfaq had some disagreements in a WhatsApp group, which led my brother to remove him. Ashfaq became enraged and shot my brother,” he explained. “It was a minor issue or perhaps a very trivial matter. No one in our family even knew there was a disagreement.”
Local police officer Abid Khan confirmed that a complaint had been lodged by Humayun against Ashfaq, who fled the scene following the incident. Authorities are currently conducting operations to apprehend him.
The shooting has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many expressing sadness at the violence occurring during the sacred month of Ramadan.
In the region, easy access to firearms, the influence of tribal traditions, and ineffective law enforcement frequently escalate minor conflicts into fatal encounters.
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