Asif Iqbal, an officer of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) cybercrime wing, who registered an FIR against singer Meesha Shafi, actress Iffat Omer and seven others was suspended from service. #SackShireenMazari
Why Asif Iqbal was removed from office
A notification from FIA Director (cybercrime wing) announced suspension of Assistant Director FIA cyber crime wing Muhammad Asif Iqbal; “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”. The notification came without any prior warning or show cause notice, and no reason was given for the officer’s suspension.
It has been reported that Muhammad Asif Iqbal, who often uses his social media to share informative content about different cyber crime laws and punishments, has been suspended on the basis of his tweet that mentioned Section 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Media Crimes Act 2016.
Whoever publicly exhibits false information that harms the reputation of a person, is a crime U/S 20 of Cybercrime Act.
اگر سوشل میڈیا پرکسی شخص کےبارے Fake News غلط خبرکی تشہیر کی جائے جس سے اسکی بدنامی ہو، جرم ہے جسکی سزا 3 سال قید یا 10لاکھ روپے جرمانہ یا دونوں ہیں۔— Asif Iqbal Chaudhry (@Aasifiqbalpak) September 29, 2020
His tweet which said “Whoever publicly exhibits false information that harms the reputation of a person, is [committing] a crime U/S 20 of Cybercrime Act” was shared by the daughters of a minister, who called the officer “Ali Zafar’s spokesperson”.
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#JusticeforAsifIqbal and #SackShireenMazari trending on twitter
Sources claim that some “influential person” in Islamabad pressurized the authorities to get Asif Iqbal suspended.
Apparently 1 of the ministers involved in getting @AsifIqbalccw suspended. The only competent officer. remember child pornography only conviction even in Pakistan was under his supervision. #JusticeForAsifIqbal -every1 tag @cybercrimefia -meesha shafi mindset can’t pressurise FIA
— Hassaan Niazi (@HniaziISF) October 2, 2020
According to a new twitter trend, it has been alleged that Minister Shireen Mazari and her daughter were behind the removal. Trending hashtags #JusticeforAsifIqbal and #SackShireenMazari have taken twitter by storm.
Subsequently the Human Rights Minister tweeted that she has asked Dawn to publish an apology failing which she will serve a legal notice for defamation & slander. Dawn posted an article that implicated Ms. Shireen and her daughter in the removal of the FIA officer.
@dawn_com sunk to new lows by publishing a maliciously motivated incorrect news story about how I had an FIA cyber crime official suspended after my daughter tweeted. FIA put out an immediate rejoinder to the @Dawn story but some are bent on maligning & character assassination pic.twitter.com/OxxHTqpr8T
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) October 2, 2020
Shireen Mazari’s daughter also 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 & to publish a false story implicating me is unacceptable. This false story resulted in vicious online abuse & this reporter shd come to court now w/ his evidence.” She stated in her post.
I will be serving a legal notice to @dawn_com for insinuating my involvement in this.
Have nothing to do w/ this & to publish a false story implicating me is unacceptable.
This false story resulted in vicious online abuse & this reporter shd come to court now w/ his evidence. https://t.co/QqhzxfcJhQ
— Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir (@ImaanZHazir) October 2, 2020
However, neitzans have taken to twitter to demand justice for the removal of the officer who was suppesedly removed for a tweet that he made stating a cyber crime law provision.