But when they met, Ashfaq allegedly pulled out a gun
A Pakistani man has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting a WhatsApp group administrator who had removed him from the chat.
The shocking incident took place in Regi, on the outskirts of Peshawar City, after an online dispute escalated into deadly violence.
The victim, identified as Mushtaq Ahmed, was killed on the evening of March 6, 2025.
This was after he removed Ashfaq Khan from a community WhatsApp group.
According to police, the two men had an argument in the group, leading Mushtaq to remove Ashfaq.
In response, Ashfaq demanded a meeting to reconcile.
But when they met, Ashfaq allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Mushtaq.
Local police confirmed that Humayun Khan, the victim’s brother, has filed a complaint against Ashfaq.
Humayun, who was present at the scene, stated that he was unaware of the nature of the dispute until the tragic incident occurred.
He described the conflict as a trivial matter that should never have escalated to such violence.
Authorities have launched a manhunt for Ashfaq, who fled after the shooting.
Police have been conducting raids in various locations to track him down.
Officials noted that the crime was directly linked to Ashfaq’s anger over being removed from the WhatsApp group.
The murder has triggered strong reactions on social media, with many expressing shock over how a minor digital dispute turned into a deadly attack.
The incident also highlights the growing problem of easy access to firearms in the region, where small conflicts frequently spiral into fatal confrontations.
Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has a history of sectarian violence and tribal conflicts.
Many believe weak law enforcement and cultural norms surrounding honour, ego, and revenge often contribute to such killings.
A user said: “Being a Pashtoon myself, I would say there is a lot of ignorance among us Pathan community.”
Another wrote:
“This is why education is important. Even with facilities, this is the community that pulls their children out of schools.”
Cases like this underline the need for stricter gun control and better conflict resolution mechanisms in local communities.
Violence during Ramadan has further intensified public outrage.
A user questioned: “Do these people not fast? Committing humanity’s worst crime in this Holy month is insane.”
Many users online have called for justice, urging authorities to swiftly arrest the suspect and take action against those carrying illegal firearms.
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