Government recognizes more than “500 social media accounts” engaged in a campaign against judiciary

Murtaza Solangi said that action would be done against individuals responsible for the hostile campaign against SC judges.

ISLAMABAD: On Monday, Murtaza Solangi, the interim minister of information, announced that the administration had discovered over 500 social media profiles involved in an anti-judiciary campaign.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad, he declared, “Action will be taken against those involved in the recent malicious campaign against Supreme Court judges, in accordance with the law and constitution,” as he was accompanied by representatives of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority.

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The information minister made reference to the January 13 Supreme Court decision that removed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from its electoral emblem, a cricket bat, and claimed that a deplorable campaign was started against judges and the judiciary as a result.

After that, he added, a joint investigation team (JIT) was established to combat the ongoing social media campaign, and the JIT was operating. He said that the JIT was notified by the interior ministry to look into the matter on January 16.

“Article 19 of the Constitution marks a boundary for freedom of speech,” stated Solangi. In their vlogs, some individuals engage in the business of disseminating lies while sitting with “two and a half people.”

According to the PTA representative, the organization has the power to delete content from social media. Accordingly, he said, their first responsibility in such a scenario was to restrict the internet and remove the offensive content.

“People are unaware of the utility of social media, despite its enormous and easy reach,” he remarked.

Waqaruddin Syed, the director of operations for the FIA’s cybercrime division, issued a warning to anyone inciting chaos on social media, threatening legal action against those inciting chaos against the government or its institutions.

The head of the FIA declared that regardless of whether the social media accounts used in the slander campaign were run domestically or abroad, they would be subject to legal action. “We’ll make the most of the power that has been given to us,” he insisted.

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According to Waqaruddin, people who reside overseas are affiliated with a number of political groups. Before forwarding phony news, he insisted that it must be verified. The FIA head of operations stated that hundreds of social media accounts had been located and that the agency will submit its findings to the JIT in the required two weeks.