Ayaz Palijo submits written replies to NCCIA over inquiry

Palijo says questionnaire fails to provide basic details of complaint or offence

HYDERABAD:

Qaumi Awami Tehreek (QAT) chairman Ayaz Latif Palijo has submitted written replies to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in response to questions concerning an inquiry into alleged anti-state activities.

According to a statement issued by QAT spokesperson Ashraf Palijo, Ayaz Latif Palijo said he had appeared before the NCCIA at its Gulistan-e-Johar office in Karachi at 3pm on August 10, in compliance with a call-up notice issued by the agency on August 7, and was ready to extend all lawful cooperation in accordance with the Constitution and law.

In his written response, Palijo said the questionnaire did not provide basic details of the alleged complaint or offence, including the date, time and location of the alleged speech, the event at which it was delivered, the complete speech or transcript, the specific words allegedly constituting an offence, the audio or video recording relied upon by the agency, the social media account or platform from which the material was obtained, the relevant URL or link, the date on which the material was uploaded, the identity of any complainant and the specific elements of the alleged offence.

He said the questionnaire instead used vague references to a "social media talk," "your speech," "your statement" and a "recorded speech" without identifying which particular speech was under investigation.

Palijo said he could not be expected to identify or speculate about an unspecified speech, particularly given his long public and political career during which he had delivered numerous political speeches and addresses.

Referring to a Supreme Court judgment, Imad Yusuf v. State, PLD 2024 SC 273, Palijo said the court had recognised citizens' rights to political and social justice and freedom of expression and thought.

He argued that political criticism, disagreement with government policies, discussion of historical or constitutional issues concerning Sindh and Pakistan, and advocacy for the fundamental and political rights and needs of the people could not simply be labelled anti-state activities and converted into criminal offences.

According to Ashraf Palijo, Ayaz Latif Palijo provided written answers to all 19 questions raised by the NCCIA. He said he believed the inquiry was an attempt to harass and silence him and to discourage his efforts to advocate the human, constitutional, political and fundamental rights of the people of Sindh.

Earlier, Ayaz Latif Palijo appeared before the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in connection with a notice issued to him over an alleged anti-state narrative.

A heavy police contingent was deployed outside the NCCIA office as a precautionary measure.

Later, Palijo entered the office along with his lawyers and appeared before the investigating officer.