Cyber crime: 'PTI social media activist in FIA custody'

Imran Khan says government using cyber crime law to victimise party activists

Days after information minister Marriyum Aurangzeb warned of action under the cyber crime law, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) detained on Wednesday an official of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's social media team, a party office bearer has claimed.

PTI’s central core committee member Qasim Khan Suri said Salar Kakar, a former information secretary of party’s Balochistan chapter, was taken into custody.

“Was with Salar Khan in FIA office...He’s being taken to Islamabad. Proud of our boy!,” he tweeted.

Was with Salar in FIA office & witnessed all the procedure of him being taken in custody. He's being taken to islamabad. Proud of our boy! pic.twitter.com/BsTxglDarC

— Qasim Khan Suri (@QasimKhanSuri) May 17, 2017

Suri also shared the notice served to Salar, who claims to be the founder of PTI’s cyber force, by the federal agency.

The notice FIA gave us after taking Salar in custody. About time pti took a strong stance for its supporters. I m with Salar.#weAreAllSalar pic.twitter.com/hXbICYBRuc

— Qasim Khan Suri (@QasimKhanSuri) May 17, 2017

Salar confirmed the development on his Twitter account, saying the FIA directed him to submit his laptop and mobile phone.

Told to submit mobile & laptop to FIA! ofcourse sir, we dont ev a private life; u r welcome to tour my family pics & discussions! The Heck!

— Salar Sultanzai (@MeFixer) May 16, 2017

On our way to submit mobile and laptop. Will not be available on whatsapp etc.

— Salar Sultanzai (@MeFixer) May 17, 2017

Reacting to the detention, PTI leaders including Imran Khan said the government was using the cyber crime law to “politically victimise PTI social media activists”, which is “unacceptable in a democracy”.

Govt abusing Cyber Crime Law to politically victimise PTI social media activists by threatening/arresting them. Unacceptable in a democracy

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 17, 2017

“Those, who are using social media for slanderous and negative propaganda against the constitutional state institutions, are warned to desist from this undesirable activity," the state minister had said in a statement on Monday.

"All the suspicious accounts, which are being used for propaganda against these entities, are under strict surveillance and action will be taken against the users of these accounts under the Cyber Crimes Law.”