FIA to seek Interpol’s aid for Azma Bukhari fake video case

ISLAMABAD:  The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has decided to contact Interpol for the arrest of four individuals accused of uploading a fake video of Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari, says in media reports.

According to the FIA officials, the four suspects, all Pakistani nationals, are operating their social media accounts from abroad.

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The FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing has already registered a case against six suspects, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activist Falak Javed.  The FIA officials said that for the arrest of Hasan Toor, Shahabuddin, and Asma Tabassum, the agency plans to get help from Interpol.

The case also includes ten social media accounts that shared the videos on platforms like Facebook and TikTok, with summons issued to them. Yesterday, Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Alia Neelum heard Azma Bukhari’s petition against PTI activist Falak Javed, expressing the seriousness of the matter and vowing to get to the bottom of it.

Senior FIA officials, including Director Cyber Crime Syed Hashmat Kamal, Director Muhammad Farooq, and Additional Director Muhammad Sarfaraz Khattana, along with federal and Punjab law officers, were present at the hearing.

Chief Justice Neelum questioned how VPNs are being used illegally despite the ban on certain platforms. The federal government’s counsel confirmed that the platform is banned in the country and is being accessed illegally via VPNs. The court adjourned the hearing until August 29.

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Speaking to the media outside the court, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and Information Minister Azma Bukhari criticised the FIA Cyber Wing for their inaction, accusing them of only collecting salaries without taking any steps against the social media accounts involved. – INP