FIA ordered not to harass PTI social media activists

IHC summons FIA Cyber Crime Wing director today

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) restrained the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from harassing political activists of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and summoned the director of the FIA Cyber Crime Wing to appear before the court in person on Friday (today).

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah took a petition filed by Ali Nawaz Awan, which challenged the raids on the homes of the PTI’s social media activists. Awan had named interior secretary, inspector generals of police of Islamabad and Punjab, FIA director general and FIA Cyber Wing director as respondents.

The petition states that illegal raids were being carried out on the homes of PTI social media activists and different cases were being registered against them at the behest of the ruling party. It added that families of the PTI workers were also being harassed.

Read more: Ex-PM’s digital media guru Dr Arslan Khalid returns home finally

The petitioner sought immediate end to illegal harassment of the PTI workers and strict action against those who violated individual’s privacy and sanctity of home on political grounds. He requested the court to declare the FIA and police operations against the PTI workers as illegal.

When the petition was taken up for hearing, Awan informed the court that action was taken against the PTI workers after the government was changed. He pointed out that the FIA raided the home of PTI’s social media head Dr Arsalan Khalid.

The court summoned the FIA Cyber Crime Wing director on Friday (today) and ordered for stopping the harassment of political workers and social media activists. The chief justice said that the FIA should not harass social media activists in any way.

Meanwhile, the authorities concerned posted Humayun Bashir Tarar of the Police Group as the new director operations of the FIA Cyber Crime. Tarar will replace Babar Bakht, who was removed from the post a few days ago, Express News reported.