An officer of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) cybercrime wing, who registered an FIR against singer Meesha Shafi and eight others for their alleged involvement in a slander campaign against artist Ali Zafar, was suspended from the service on Thursday. “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,” read an order issued by FIA Director (cybercrime wing) Amir Farooqi. According to leading publication Dawn, neither a show-cause notice was issued to Mr Iqbal, nor any reason given for his suspension. Twitter users are divided and have post varying reactions to development.
As per my knowledge Aurat march influential people are behind this order. Because asif iqbal booked meesha shafi and the other propagandist for running campaign agaisnt Ali Zafar on social media.
— HA🇵🇰 (@skullerhere) October 2, 2020
Contrary to Dawn’s report, a post on Cyber Crime Wing FIA’s official Twitter handle read, “AD Asif Iqbal is suspended and issued an explanation on maintaining a private Twitter account bearing CCW which stands for Cyber Crime Wing. He was acting as a spokesman for CCW on his own accord and without permission, which is against disciplinary rules.” The statement was made by a spokesman for the Cyber Crime Wing FIA, Islamabad. Responding to this, one user posted, “As per my knowledge Aurat March influential people are behind this order. Because Asif Iqbal booked Meesha Shafi and the other propagandist for running a campaign against Ali Zafar on social media.”
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 (@AsifIqbalccw) September 29, 2020
Human rights lawyer and activist Hassaan Niazi requested Shireen Mazari and Fawad Chadhry to take notice of an unfair step taken against Iqbal. He penned, “Wow- @cybercrimefia suspends one of the most competent and hardworking officers for telling us “what section 20 of PECA 2016” is? – @ShireenMazari1@fawadchaudhry. Please raise the issue in cabinet. It is Meesha Shafi’s mindset pressure and we won’t tolerate this.” Niazi was referring to Iqbal’s September 29th tweet which read, “Whoever publicly exhibits false information that harms the reputation of a person, is a crime U/S 20 of Cybercrime Act.”
FIA’s most hardwork and competent officer @AsifIqbalccw suspended after registration of FIR against Meesha and her crew for criminal name shaming of Ali Zafar. He’s one of the best officers of FIA @cybercrimefia – everyone must raise voice https://t.co/OsCa2EsiiQ
— Hassaan Niazi (@HniaziISF) October 2, 2020
Retweeting Dawn’s story, Niazi added, “FIA’s most hardwork and competent officer @AsifIqbalccw suspended after registration of FIR against Meesha and her crew for criminal name shaming of Ali Zafar. He’s one of the best officers of FIA @cybercrimefia – everyone must raise their voice.”
Told you. Feminism is an important cause but in Pakistan it has been hijacked by upper class begums & brats tweeting from phones bought by their daddy’s monies while sipping tea their underage maid brought them.
What happened with @AsifIqbalccw is just a teeny tiny glimpse of it
— Mahwash Ajaz 🇵🇰 (@mahwashajaz_) October 2, 2020
the trend should be #JusticeForAsifIqbal.. Also, strict action should be taken against "mama and her daughter". This abusive use of power shouldn't go unchecked
— Zohaib Hassan (@zabi7474) October 2, 2020
Dubai-based journalist Mahwash Ajaz expressed major disappointment in Iqbal’s suspension too. She tweeted, “Told you. Feminism is an important cause but in Pakistan it has been hijacked by upper class begums and brats tweeting from phones bought by their daddy’s monies while sipping tea their underage maid brought them. What happened with @AsifIqbalccw is just a teeny tiny glimpse of it.” Digital journalist Zohaib Hassan was also in agreement with Ajaz, Niazi and many others like them. He wrote, “The trend should be #JusticeForAsifIqbal. Also, strict action should be taken against “mama and her daughter”. This abusive use of power shouldn’t go unchecked.”
Minister of human rights ko agar time mil gya ho cyber crime officer ko suspend krwanay say tou Bahria Town ki yakian note kr lay #Bahriatown
— Senior Tweep (@AngryRedd) October 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/Rizwow/status/1311965091391250433
Others lashed out at Mazari – Minister of Human Rights – for Iqbal’s suspension. A post read, Minister of human rights ko agar time mil gya ho cybercrime officer ko suspend krwanay say tou Bahria Town ki yakian note kr lay #Bahriatown.” Some took a dig at Mazari’s daughter Iman Mazari, claiming she was among those who pushed for Iqbal’s immediate exit. “Imaan Mazari got this FIA cyber wing officer fired for this tweet. What’s wrong in talking about the law of defamation on Twitter? Just show me one thing wrong with this tweet. Shame on you @ShireenMazari1,” lamented a Twitter user.
