FIA arrests anti-state propagandist of PTI from Banigala in Islamabad

The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cyber Crime Circle in Islamabad has arrested a man for launching a campaign against the state institutions on social media, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday. 

The suspect’s name is Haider Saeed and he has been arrested from Banigala area of the federal capital with links to PTI. 

According to the FIA officials, he spread hate and derogatory content against the institutions in the aftermath of the Jaffar Express tragedy. 

The officials have said that Saeed was also involved in sharing posts in support of banned organisations.

The FIA has confiscated his laptop and other digital devices and launched an investigation against him.  

The Agency recently registered cases against three persons for spreading fake news about the Jaffar Express attack.

According to the FIRs registered against Ahmad Noorani, Shafiq Ahmad Advocate and Aina Durkhanai under the PECA Act, the accused had spread anti-state propaganda online, and incited hatred against national institutions following the attack. 

They used their verified social media accounts to promote a banned organisation and create public uncertainty.

The FIA’s spokesperson said that its cyber crime circle was investigating further to identify additional accounts involved in spreading malicious propaganda.

He further stated that the move was part of an intensified effort by the FIA to crack down on cybercrimes, with a particular focus on misinformation and hate speech online.

Physical remand 

A court in Islamabad on Monday granted to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) a three-day physical remand of PTI worker Haider Saeed, who had been arrested from Banigala in Islamabad for spreading hate against the state institutions in the aftermath of the Jaffar Express tragedy and also glorifying banned outfits, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.  

As per reports, Haider shared content on social media the purpose of which was to incite people to rebellion against the institutions.

The FIA had registered a case against him for making objectionable tweets.

Earlier, the suspect was produced in the court of Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah.

The Agency prayed to the court for an eight-day physical remand. 

However, the court remanded him in the FIA’s custody for three days.   

Haider will now be produced in the court on March 20.

Reporter: Tayyab Saif