17 held for sharing AI-generated images

LAHORE:

The Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) Cybercrime Wing has registered 18 cases and arrested 17 individuals for creating and sharing AI-generated images and videos targeting Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and the President of the UAE.

Authorities have announced plans to apprehend those who commented on and liked these posts as well.

In a press conference, FIA Cybercrime Wing Additional Director Muhammad Sarfraz Chaudhry, alongside Deputy Director Zawar Ahmed, detailed the progress. He stated that individuals involved in the creation, sharing, and promotion of these AI-generated images and videos have been identified and prosecuted.

So far, 17 individuals, including two women, have been arrested.

Sarfraz Chaudhry added that efforts are underway to bring perpetrators operating from abroad to justice with the assistance of Interpol.

"We are working to extradite fugitives like Adil Raja, who is already declared an absconder, and Shehbaz Gill, against whom legal procedures are being completed for issuing red warrants," he said. "Both will be brought back to Pakistan through Interpol and face strict penalties."

The FIA has categorised offenders into four groups: those who create the content, those who share it, those who comment on it, and those who like it.

Among the arrested, 17 individuals belong to these categories, and legal proceedings are ongoing.

The FIA has also submitted recommendations to the Ministry of Law to enhance the severity of penalties under the Cybercrime Act of 2016. These recommendations aim to strengthen existing laws and deter such activities effectively.

Of the 17 arrested individuals, eight have been sent to judicial custody, while nine remain under physical remand.

Those charged include notable names such as Shehbaz Gill, Imran Riaz Khan and others.