Sharjeel moves NCCIA over online 'malicious' propaganda against him

KARACHI:

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has approached the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) over a campaign of false, fabricated and malicious allegations against him and his son, Rawal Memon, on social media.

The complaint named unidentified individuals allegedly operating social media accounts, pages and groups and accuses them of harassment, creating and disseminating allegedly false and malicious content, and damaging the reputation of Sharjeel Memon and his son.

According to the complaint, the identities of those operating the accounts are currently unknown. It cites four Facebook accounts and pages and includes screenshots. The complaint alleged that posts, videos and statements targeting Sharjeel Memon and his son began circulating on the platforms on August 9.

Among the claims cited in the complaint is an allegation that a guesthouse in Gulistan-e-Johar, Karachi, where Mir Ali Raza was allegedly tortured and killed, is owned by Sharjeel Memon. The complaint also refers to claims that his son Rawal Memon left for London shortly after the alleged incident and later moved around with a bodyguard.

It further alleged that social media posts sought to create an impression that the medical board investigating the case was changed "overnight" and accused the senior minister and his political party of protecting those allegedly involved in the incident and obstructing the police investigation.

The complaint further claimed that similar wording and allegations appeared on multiple social media pages at nearly the same time, particularly regarding ownership of the guesthouse and Rawal Memon's alleged departure for London.

Sharjeel Memon has rejected all such allegations as baseless and contrary to facts.

The Sindh minister has also expressed suspicion that those behind the accounts may be using fake identities, bot networks or proxy handlers to conceal their identities.

The complaint asked the NCCIA to conduct a technical and forensic investigation to identify the individuals operating the accounts. It sought examination of IP logs, device and SIM registration data and other relevant user information.