FIA books 38 for spreading ‘fake news’ about ‘rape’

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cyber Crime Cell has registered a case against several YouTubers and journalists, accusing them of spreading false news regarding an alleged assault on a female student at a private college in Lahore.

The case, initiated by a complaint from the college principal, names 38 individuals as suspects. The First Information Report (FIR), now made public, reveals that among those charged are well-known figures such as Raja Ahsan Naveed, Faisal Pasha, Fareed Shehzad, Faisal Shehzad, Umar Qazi, Jameel Farooqui, and veteran journalist Ayaz Amir. Additionally, the case implicates Imran Riaz Khan, Farah Iqrar, Tayyaba Raja, Naeem Bukhari, Sami Ibrahim, Shakir Mehmood Awan, Rabia Malik, Muqaddas Awan, Ahmad Bobak, Imrana Mughal, Mian Umar Advocate, Misbah Advocate, Saqib Jameel, Syed Zeeshan Aziz, and others.

The FIA’s Cyber Crime division is pursuing charges of disseminating misinformation, which allegedly contributed to public panic and confusion. Authorities have yet to release further details on the investigation’s progress.