Azma bukhari urges shutdown of FIA's cybercrime wing, calls it a 'white elephant'

Punjab info minister criticises FIA for its lack of expertise and condemns media for linking her to a fake video clip

LAHORE:

Punjab Information Minister, Azma Zahid Bukhari, proposed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif the closure of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)’s cybercrime wing, labelling it a "white elephant" that drains national resources without providing real benefits to the public.

Speaking to reporters at the Lahore High Court, where her case concerning a fake video was heard, Bukhari criticised the cybercrime wing for its inefficiency and lack of expertise.

She expressed her astonishment at being asked by FIA officers about the X (formerly Twitter) handles that circulated the video, questioning if it was her responsibility to keep them informed. Bukhari highlighted that the officers seemed unaware of why VPNs are used in Pakistan and whether such practices are common in other countries, implying their lack of technical knowledge.

The minister also condemned the media for associating the fake video clip with her, questioning how anyone could verify if it was indeed her in the footage.

Court proceeding

Chief Justice (CJ) Aalia Neelum of the Lahore High Court requested responses from relevant parties by August 29 regarding Bukhari's petition against Falak Javed and others for allegedly sharing the fake video.

During the proceedings, FIA officials reported the arrest of an accused individual, Shafique, in Gujrat. CJ Neelum emphasised the need to apprehend the person who initially uploaded the video, stating that while social media has its benefits, harmful content must be controlled.

Inquiries about X's current status and government policies revealed that the social media platform has been banned in Pakistan since February 17. The federal lawyer explained that X is accessed via VPN, over which the government has no control.

The court has sought further clarification on X's policies and the SOPs governing its services in Pakistan, as well as an update on the investigation's progress, particularly concerning the arrest of the individual who first shared the video.