FIA struggles to satisfy court in fake video case

LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum expresses strong displeasure over the FIA's lack of concrete developments

LAHORE:

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) appeared unable to satisfy the Lahore High Court (LHC) regarding the progress in the fake video case involving Punjab Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari.

During a hearing, LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum expressed strong displeasure over the FIA's lack of concrete developments and scheduled September 5 for final arguments from both sides.

As the proceedings began, Chief Justice Neelum criticised the FIA's conduct, stating that the agency could resolve the case swiftly if it chose to.

She remarked that the FIA's delays seemed to pressure complainants into withdrawing their cases, calling it a form of harassment.

Deputy Attorney General Asad Ali Bajwa informed the court that social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and others were supposed to establish offices in Pakistan per an agreement, but they had yet to do so.

He added that the FIA had reached out to the U.S. Embassy to contact X and had also written to Facebook and WhatsApp, but no responses had been received.

Azma Bukhari's lawyer argued that the FIA had failed to apprehend all the accused, with only one arrest made while the others remained at large.

Justice Aalia Neelum commented that while such defamatory actions would be unthinkable abroad, lives are ruined by such activities here.

The case stems from a petition filed by Azma Bukhari after an allegedly fake and inappropriate video of her was shared on social media by PTI activist Falak Javed.

The video, posted on July 24, was widely circulated, causing significant damage to the minister's reputation.