LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on Thursday informed the Lahore High Court (LHC) that eight individuals had been arrested for running a malicious campaign on social media targeting Chief Justice Aalia Neelum and other judges.
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NCCIA Director General Syed Khurram Ali appeared before the court and presented a detailed report, stating that the agency had compiled a list of suspects involved in activities aimed at maligning the judiciary and was taking all necessary steps to bring them to justice.
Justice Ali Zia Bajwa, hearing a petition filed by lawyer Chaudhry Pervez Elahi Bhaddar, directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block accounts identified by NCCIA for sharing objectionable content. The judge emphasized that while fair criticism of judicial decisions is permissible, campaigns intended to weaken public confidence in the judiciary are unlawful.
According to the NCCIA report, those arrested include Iftikhar Mehmood Chaudhry from Islamabad, Rana Sarwar and Shahbaz Amin from Lahore, and Muhammad Ali, Rana Khalid Hussain, Ghulam Mustafa, Muhammad Ali Bhutta, and Abdul Sattar from Multan. Additionally, a YouTube channel “Siyasi Dera,” run by Ihsanullah Chattha, also known as “Mitha Gee,” was found involved in spreading derogatory content against judges.
The agency further revealed that images of 30 social media account holders implicated in the campaign have been sent to the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) for facial recognition.
Justice Bajwa underscored that enforcement measures must remain regulatory and corrective rather than retaliatory, ensuring freedom of expression is not stifled while maintaining the authority, dignity, and independence of the courts.
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The LHC’s intervention highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to curb online campaigns aimed at undermining public confidence in Pakistan’s judiciary.