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Tag: FIA

  • Dawn in trouble ‘for suggesting Shireen Mazari got FIA official sacked on daughter’s call’

    Dawn in trouble ‘for suggesting Shireen Mazari got FIA official sacked on daughter’s call’

    English daily Dawn has landed in hot water “for suggesting that Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari got a Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) official removed from office on the call of her daughter, Imaan Mazari”.

    As per the details, Asif Iqbal of FIA’s cybercrime wing had registered an FIR against singer Meesha Shafi, actor Iffat Omer and seven others for their alleged involvement in a vilification campaign against singer Ali Zafar.

    Iqbal, who often uses his social media to share details of different cybercrime laws and punishments, was removed from office after a tweet mentioning Section 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Media Crimes Act (PECA) 2016.

    A notification by FIA director (cybercrime wing) announced the suspension of assistant director Iqbal soon after the said tweet.

    “Service of Muhammad Asif Iqbal, assistant director/senior investigator (BPS-17) cybercrime reporting centre Lahore is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect till further orders,” read the notification without any reason, prior warning or show-cause notice.

    Dawn had quoted an official source as saying that Iqbal was suspended on the basis of the tweet.

    It wasn’t later that Twitterati, including prominent ones, started alleging that some influential person in Islamabad was behind the sacking.

    Amid the claims and the subsequent report by Dawn, hashtags ‘#JusticeforAsifIqbal’ and ‘#SackShireenMazari’ started trending on Twitter.

    “Dawn sunk to new lows by publishing a maliciously motivated incorrect news story about how I had an FIA cybercrime official suspended after my daughter tweeted,” Shireen Mazari said soon after.

    “FIA put out an immediate rejoinder to the Dawn story but some are bent on maligning and character assassination,” she added.

    Meanwhile, her daughter tweeted that she will be serving a legal notice to Dawn for insinuating her involvement in the removal of the officer.

    “[I] have nothing to do with this and to publish a false story implicating me is unacceptable. This false story resulted in vicious online abuse and this reporter should now come to court with evidence,” Imaan wrote.

    FIA, on the other hand, has issued a statement saying it suspended Iqbal for acting as its “unofficial” spokesperson.

    “Assistant Director Asif Iqbal was suspended and issued an explanation for maintaining a private Twitter account bearing cybercrime wing Lahore. He was acting as a spokesman for the cybercrime wing on his own accord without permission which is against disciplinary rules,” a statement posted by the wing’s spokesperson read.

    This provided yet another little twist to a rare case where the agency had sought to discipline one of its own staffers.

  • ‘#IbshamZahidBehindTheBars’: Police arrest Ibsham Zahid for harassing, threatening girl

    ‘#IbshamZahidBehindTheBars’: Police arrest Ibsham Zahid for harassing, threatening girl

    The Punjab Police have arrested Ibsham Zahid, a teenager who was harassing and threatening a girl named Fatima with rape and murder.

    Focal person to Chief Minister Punjab on Digital Media, Azhar Mashwani took to Twitter to announce the news.

    Recently, Fatima shared her story of being harassed and tortured by a guy named Ibsham Zahid. The girl shared images and video clips that show how she was being forced into a ‘relationship’ by Ibsham.

    As per the girl’s account, Ibsham started threatening her after she refused to get into a relationship with him. The girl shared a video in which Zahid is threatening to kill her father if she doesn’t agree to his demands.

    Soon after her post went viral, people on social media started demanding strict action against the guy and #IbshamZahidBehindBars started trending on Twitter.

  • FIA launches investigation against platforms selling sacrificial animals online

    FIA launches investigation against platforms selling sacrificial animals online

    Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has launched an investigation against the online platforms that were selling sacrificial animals this Eid.

    Majority of complaints filed are about late delivery of meat, lesser meat quantity, and in some cases, the meat was not even delivered. There are also complains that the animal meat got stale to the point where it became un-edible.

    A few weeks before Edi-Ul-Adha several meat brands, cattle farm owners, and regular businesses set up their website offering multiple services regarding the Eid.

    Among them, the lowest-ranked online Eid services providers are Meat Master, ARY Sahulat Bazar, and Laal Meat. The online platforms offered the substandard facilities to the users and did not deliver what it promised the users.

    The Deputy Director of Crime Cell Abdul Ghafoor said that after receiving hundreds of complaints, the unit finally decides to conduct a thorough investigation.

    Iftikhar Shalwani, the Commissioner Karachi, has advised FIA to take stern action against such companies along with the others which will be deciphered fully after the investigation.

    Earlier, the government has urged the citizens to avoid going to the cattle market and buy cattle online to curb the spread of COVID-19.

    It was not the first time when online platform became an option for the selling and purchasing of the sacrificial animal it has been done for years.

  • After PTA’s ban on PUBG and Bigo, Supreme Court hints at blocking YouTube in Pakistan

    Amid Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) ban on popular online multiplayer game PUBG and social networking application Bigo besides a “final warning” to TikTok, the Supreme Court (SC) has reportedly hinted at banning YouTube in Pakistan.

    According to The Express Tribune, the apex court, while hearing the case of one Shaukat Ali involved in a sectarian crime, objected to unregulated content on social media, particularly comments regarding the judiciary, the armed forces and the government.

    We have no objection to freedom of expression, remarked Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin. “Our salaries are paid from the money of the people, they have the right to raise questions on our decisions and our performance,” he said. “But the Constitution also grants us the right to privacy,” added Justice Amin.

    He remarked that family members of the judiciary come under scrutiny on YouTube and referred to a decision announced a day earlier, which was discussed on the platform and asked whether the PTA and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had taken notice of such happenings on the platform where judges were mocked and embarrassed.

    A PTA official told the court that the PTA cannot remove objectionable content but can only report it.

    READ: Final warning to TikTok as PTA plans to ban it over vulgar content

    YouTube is banned in many countries, said Justice Mushir Alam, who was also on the bench. He asked whether anyone would dare post content against the United States (US) or the European Union (EU) on the platform.

    Justice Amin asked how many people had been prosecuted for such crimes while Justice Alam noted that social media was regulated through local laws in many countries.

    People are incited against the judiciary, the government and the armed forces, remarked Justice Amin.

    The court then issued notices to the attorney-general of Pakistan (AGP) and the Foreign Ministry on the matter.

    Pakistan’s digital space has been frequently restricted and is monitored closely through laws such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 as well by the federal agencies PTA and FIA.

  • Child pornographer released on bail

    Child pornographer released on bail

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) has released a man, arrested for selling child pornography to an international child pornography ring, on bail.

    According to reports, a judicial magistrate on April 26, 2018, had awarded seven-years imprisonment to Saadat Amin of Sargodha under Section 22 of Prevention of Electronic Crime Act 2016 and imposed a fine of Rs1.2 million on him.

    Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) cybercrime cell had arrested Amin on the complaint of the Norwegian embassy during 2017.

    Saadat was an active member of an international group, operating online from Pakistan. He used to engage children between the age of 10-12 years and transmit their pornographic pictures/videos outside the country for monetary benefits. 650,000 pictures and video related to child pornography were reportedly recovered from the convict’s possession.

    In an appeal before the high court, the Sadaat’s lawyer Rana Nadeem Ahmad argued that the investigation held by the agency was faulty as it failed to arrest or investigate the alleged foreign agent in Norway. Besides, the appellant had been languishing behind the bars since his arrest in 2017, while his main appeal against the sentence had not been decided by the high court.

    He asked the court to suspend the sentence and release the appellant on bail as he was ready to furnish surety bonds. Justice Farooq Haider suspended the sentence and released the convict on bail against bonds of Rs200,000.

  • Imran vows to go after profiteers as he delivers on promise of probing sugar, wheat crises

    Imran vows to go after profiteers as he delivers on promise of probing sugar, wheat crises

    Fulfilling his promise of ensuring transparency and accountability in governance, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has not only made the inquiry reports into the sugar and wheat shortage public but also ordered the formation of a commission to conduct a forensic audit of the sugar mills, including JDW that is owned by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Jahangir Tareen.

    As per the details, a report by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Saturday claimed that top PTI members were among those who gained from the recent sugar crisis in the country. An investigation into the crisis had been ordered by Prime Minister Imran Khan in February.

    Among the people named in the FIA report are Tareen and Makhdum Omer Shehryar, a relative of Minister for National Food Security Khusro Bakhtiar, Geo reported.

    According to the report, sugar price was increased from Rs 55 per kg in December 2018 to Rs 71.44 per kg in June 2019, despite the fact that the General Sales Tax (GST) increase was implemented from July 1, 2019. After the export of sugar in January 2019, its price started increasing immediately in the local market.

    The major beneficiaries of the subsidy offered by the government on export of sugar include RYK Group, owned and controlled by Shehryar, which availed 15.83 per cent of the total export subsidy amounting to Rs3.944 billion. Chaudhry Munir and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) senior leader Moonis Elahi are also partners in this group.

    JDW Group owned and controlled by Tareen availed 12.28 per cent of the total export subsidy amounting to Rs3.058bn, while Hunza Sugar Mills availed 11.56 per cent of the total subsidy amounting to Rs 2.879bn. Hunza Sugar Mills is owned by Muhammad Waheed chaudry, Idrees Chaudhry and Saeed Chaudhry.

    Sugar mills owned by the Sharif family availed 5.91 per cent of the total export subsidy amounting to Rs1.472bn.

    The document does not mention under whose influence the Punjab government issued subsidies to sugar mills or why the Economic Coordination Council (ECC) approved the decision to export sugar.

    Reacting to the report, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said he has faith that whatever the situation, PM Imran “will ensure justice”.

    Tareen, PTI’s former general secretary, said that out of the Rs3 billion subsidy to the sugar mills, Rs2.5 billion were given when the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was in power.

    Meanwhile, it has been reported that the commission due to submit its report on April 25 has started working and nine teams are already on the ground for carrying out forensic analysis of 10 sugar mills, including Alliance Sugar mills Ghotki, Al-Arabia Sugar Mills Sargodha, Al-Moiz 1 Sugar Mills DI Khan, Al-Moiz 2 Sugar Mills Mianwali, Hamza Sugar Mills RY Khan, Hunza 1 and Hunza 2 Sugar Mills Faisalabad and Jhang, and JDW 1,2, and 3 Sugar Mills RY Khan and Ghotki.

  • Inflation: PM seeks ISI, other agencies’ help

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has sought the help of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to present monitoring reports regularly, as Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan directs for a large-scale crackdown on smuggling of edibles and other commodities, The News reported.

    According to reports, the premier has asked the Interior Ministry, law enforcement agencies of the federal and provincial governments, and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to collectively take action against the menace of smuggling. He has also directed the Interior Ministry to present a report on related measures and a comprehensive strategy on the matter within 48 hours.

    He emphasised that keeping in view the recommendations of the task force formed to combat smuggling, short-term, medium-term and long-term measures should be initiated.

    The decision was taken at a high-level meeting, presided over by PM Imran and attended by Minister for National Food Security Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Minister for Planning Asad Umar, Adviser to the PM on Commerce and Trade Abdul Razak Dawood, interior and national food security secretaries, and acting FBR chairman among other senior officials.

    The meeting took stock of the demand and supply of essential commodities and their prices with particular reference to their smuggling. The report on progress so far made on the establishment of markets at the western border was also presented at the meeting. The PM directed accelerating the pace of establishment of markets and observed that because of smuggling of food items, common man was facing difficulties.

    “The menace of smuggling is causing losses worth billions to the national economy. Combating this menace is in national interests,” he contended, adding that prices of food items must be brought down by up to 20 per cent.

    The premier also made it clear that no negligence would be tolerated with regard to smuggling.

  • Here’s what you need to know about wheat smuggling investigation

    According to the report, the committee formed to investigate on exports of wheat and wheat flour during the ban period failed to produce results.

    According to the statistics of Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL) and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) shows 3,947 and 26,206 metric tonnes (Unit of weight equal to 1,000 kilograms) were exported between Aug-Oct 31, 2019.

    READ: Pakistan witnesses increase in remittances inflow: Moody’s

    The committee failed to produce the desired results and was also unable to identify the Customs officers involved in the scam. The only action that was taken is transferring of seven Collectorate officers of Peshawar and Quetta.

    When a senior customs officer was asked to comment on the matter, he said “I don’t want any media reporting on the issue as a lot of damage has already been done to the department”,

    READ: Freelancers payment limit raised to Rs. $25,000: State Bank of Pakistan

    Instead of revising the investigation processes or tracing the culprits behind the scam, the issue was turned into integrity matter of the Customs Department.

    Furthermore, according to the Custom Intelligence Department, they have conveyed to the government that 505 containers were cleared at Torkhan Border without the filing of goods declaration and payment of duty and taxes.

    READ: Reporter, who ‘exposed’ Bilawal’s train march, ‘murdered’

    The figures on clearance of containers without duty and taxes were challenged by Chief Collector North Dr Asif Jah. “I am still doing my investigation,” adding that “he has already reconciled 300 containers.”

    To investigate the matter, a number of committees were formed and Prime Minister’s Secretariat is not happy with the outcome of these reports and has now directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to conduct a probe.

    READ: PTI’s new social media laws: Are you in some sort of danger?

    The FIA has already compiled one report but it was returned with further directions to probe the issue thoroughly. “We will take action against the Customs officers if found involved,” the officer said.