Cyber probe ordered into online campaign against police surgeon

Mir Raza commission questions incomplete records

KARACHI:

The Judicial Commission probing the Mir Raza Ali case has ordered a comprehensive cyber investigation into a social media campaign against Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed, while raising questions over the failure to provide the complete record of a private conversation involving her and Dr Osama.

Justice Umar Sial, presiding judge of the commission, issued the written order of Wednesday's proceedings, directing the Karachi director of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to nominate a senior officer to investigate the online harassment campaign against the police surgeon.

The NCCIA has also been directed to examine the messages exchanged between Dr Summaiya and Dr Osama, conduct a forensic examination of allegedly defamatory material available online and identify those responsible for disseminating it.

According to the order, Dr Summaiya had complained to the commission that Dr Osama leaked edited portions of a private conversation in an attempt to damage her reputation. She said the campaign had caused her severe mental distress and could set a dangerous precedent by discouraging senior professionals from helping juniors correct mistakes.

Dr Osama has appeared before the commission three times but has not submitted the complete recording of the conversation, the order stated. Some portions were allegedly provided to specific media outlets and digital platforms. The commission observed that presenting a private conversation out of context could divert attention from the actual issue. Dr Summaiya said she was willing to submit the complete recording before the commission if permitted, arguing that its review would eliminate the possibility of misunderstanding or misinterpretation.

The commission also addressed the dispute over the post-mortem reports, saying that Dr Osama had endorsed the interim report while refusing to accept the final report. The order said that when an initial post-mortem is conducted by a single doctor and a subsequent examination is carried out by a multi-member medical board, the earlier report assumes secondary status. It further observed that Dr Osama's initial conclusions regarding the bullet's entry and exit wounds amounted to disregarding scientific evidence.

The commission described Dr Summaiya as an experienced and distinguished professional and said harassment of her was unacceptable. It termed her an asset to the government and said she was being subjected to a campaign to discredit her instead of having her services recognised.

The order also stated that the commission had, in an earlier order, raised questions about Dr Osama's motives and the apparent targeting of institutions. It said his efforts appeared aimed at undermining and making the commission controversial.