FIA Register Cases Against 150 Individuals Including Journalists and Vloggers
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has registered cases against 150 individuals, including journalists and vloggers, for “allegedly promoting a false narrative against state institutions, particularly the security agencies, over the Nov 26 crackdown on PTI supporters in Islamabad,” Dawn reported.
An FIA official told Dawn that the cases were registered under Section 9, 10, 11, and 24 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (Peca). As per the report, so far, 20 social media activists have been arrested by the FIA Cybercrime Wing.
Among those charged are journalists and vloggers Ahmad Noorani, Harmeet Singh, Imran Khatana, Rizwan Ahmad Khan, Salman Durrani, Hussain Rafique, Ahmad Malik, Azhar Tariq Khan, Asif Bashir, Saraj Ahmad, Muhammad Arshad, Abdul Qadir, Aroosa Nadim, Komal Afridi, and Maryam Shafqat Malik.
A case was registered against Harmeet Singh by Anees Ur Rehman, Technical Assistant, Cyber Crime Reporting Center Islamabad. As per the First Information Report (FIR), Harmeet Singh, through his Twitter profile handle @HarmeetSinghPk with “malafide intentions and ulterior motives,” created a false narrative against the state institutions and security agencies of Pakistan and carried out a “misleading, concocted and baseless campaign.” The case was registered under Section 9, 10, 11 and 24 of PECA read with Section 505 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Singh told PPF that he had successfully applied for pre-arrest bail, but the agency had then taken action against him from Peshawar. The Islamabad Additional District and Sessions Judge barred the FIA from arresting Singh, accepting his bail against a surety bond of Rs20,000. The court also directed Singh to cooperate with the investigation and sought a response from the FIA by December 21.
Singh received an order from the FIA Cyber Crime Circle Peshawar dated December 12 asking him to appear in person before the agency on December 24.
Speaking to PPF, Azad Digital Anchorperson Salman Durrani and ARY News reporter Abdul Qadir said they had not received copies of the FIR registered against them.
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the FIA’s actions. In a joint statement, PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Arshad Ansari demanded the “immediate withdrawal” of arrest orders, uphold the rights of journalists, investigate the matter, and guarantee the safety of journalists.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar denied reports that arrest warrants had been issued for 150 journalists. He clarified that the warrants targeted individuals accused of inciting violence on social media, noting that most of those implicated were political activists affiliated with PTI.
He urged the media to engage in responsible journalism and avoid disseminating fake news.
Photo Source: FIA
” 
" 
” 
” 
” 
” 
