Replies sought on plea for action over fake video

LHC asks about arrest of first person uploading content

LAHORE:

Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Aalia Neelum has sought replies on August 29 on Punjab Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari’s petition seeking action against those who had shared a fake video tarnishing her image.

As the proceedings commenced, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials told the court that an accused, Shafique, had been arrested from Gujrat.

The CJ remarked that the person who had first uploaded the video should be arrested. She remarked that there are good activities on social media but the evil acts had to be stopped.

Responding to queries regarding the status of the social media platform formerly named Twitter, the government’s policy about it and its authority in the country, a lawyer representing federation told the court that the platform was banned in Pakistan since February 17. No direct authority of the organisation exists in the country.

An FIA official told the court that a letter had been written to the United States embassy in this regard.

CJ Aalia Neelum remarked the letter being shown was already available, but the court should be informed under what standard operating procedures (SOPs) the services of the online platform were offered in the country.

The federal government’s lawyer told the court that the service was currently being operated through virtual private networks (VPN), over which the authorities had no control.

The court sought response over the social media platform’s policy and the SOPs regarding its service in the country.

It also sought a response from the FIA about the current status of the investigation, including the arrest of the man who had first shared the video.

Speaking to reporters outside the court, the minister said she would request the prime minister to shut the FIA cybercrime wing, alleging that it’s officers were incurring expenses without providing the required services to the people in need.