FIA summons 65 people in ‘malicious’ drive against judges

Accused include 47 celebrities as well as journalists

RAWALPINDI:

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) cybercrime wing on Saturday summoned 65 people, including various journalists and social media activists, for allegedly running a “malicious campaign” against the judges and the institutions on Jan 30 and 31.

After the decision of the Supreme Court against the PTI intra-party elections, which stripped it of its iconic electoral symbol – the cricket bat, a malicious campaign against the judges and the institutions was launched on social media.

According to details, the FIA had been fully mobilised against running negative campaigns containing insulting and wrong information against the chief justice, senior judges and state institutions on social media.

In addition, 115 inquiries have been officially registered and notices have been issued to 65 people. Forty-seven celebrities of the media and social media were also included in the people to whom notices have been sent.

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Regarding the FIA notices, the date of hearing has been fixed on Jan 30 and 31. The FIA cybercrime wing has sent notices to various journalists and social media activists who have been allegedly running negative campaigns against the judges for inquiry.

Journalists and social media activists who have been issued notices include journalists Cyril Almeida, Shaheen Sohbai, Adeel Mahmood Raja, Syed Samar Abbas, Asad Ali Toor, Matiullah Jan, Muhammad Siddique Jan and Muhammad Sabir Shakir.

The journalists were summoned to the FIA cybercrime wing in Islamabad. A six-member joint investigation team headed by FIA Cybercrime Wing Additional Director Waqaruddin Syed is engaged in the investigation. The JIT includes one Grade-20 officer each from ISI, IB and PTA.

The JIT also includes the Islamabad deputy inspector general of police and a senior officer from the FIA. The JIT has a mandate to determine the perpetrators and take legal action against them.

The JIT was tasked with submitting a detailed report to the Ministry of Interior within 15 days after compiling suggestions to prevent such campaigns in the future.