Web Desk: An Islamabad court has ordered two arrested suspects associated with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) to be sent to jail on judicial remand in a case involving online threats and a social media campaign targeting Azaad Digital CEO Muhammad Musawwir Abbasi, according to the complainant’s lawyer.
Advocate Waqar Hanif Abbasi, representing the Azaad Digital CEO, said the court rejected investigators’ request for an additional eight days of physical remand after hearing details of the investigation into threatening social media posts and material targeting the journalist and his family.
The suspects were arrested following the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) on a complaint filed by Musawwir Abbasi.
Speaking about Thursday’s proceedings, Advocate Waqar Hanif Abbasi said the two nominated suspects had initially appeared before a magistrate following their arrests.
During their physical remand, investigators reportedly obtained material they considered relevant to the case, including information about multiple social media accounts and alleged communications with other suspects.
According to the lawyer, the investigating officer subsequently requested another eight days of physical custody to continue questioning the accused.
However, the court declined the request after determining that further physical remand was unnecessary, as investigators had already collected the material required at that stage.
Consequently, the court ordered both suspects to be transferred to jail on judicial remand.
Advocate Abbasi said investigators had identified multiple social media accounts and communications that could help establish the alleged involvement of other individuals in the online campaign.
He claimed that evidence collected during the investigation suggested connections between the arrested suspects and additional individuals operating through personal accounts and social media networks.
Furthermore, the lawyer alleged that the network extended beyond Pakistan, with individuals based overseas potentially involved in coordinating or amplifying threatening content.
However, the international connections and the precise roles of other individuals have yet to be independently established.
The lawyer said investigators were examining digital communications, online activity and other material to determine the extent of the alleged campaign.
Meanwhile, Advocate Abbasi strongly rejected accusations made against Azaad Digital during a press conference, including claims that the media organisation had violated the privacy and dignity of individuals and their families.
He described the accusations as unfounded and maintained that serious allegations against a media organisation should be supported by credible evidence.
The lawyer also drew a distinction between legitimate journalistic criticism and conduct that may constitute criminal intimidation or harassment.
He argued that disagreements with media reporting should be addressed through lawful means, including journalistic responses and legal remedies, rather than threats or campaigns targeting journalists and their families.
According to the lawyer, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) should not be used merely because one journalist or media organisation criticises another.
However, he maintained that threats, harassment and the targeting of family members through digital platforms could warrant legal action under applicable laws.
Providing further details about the investigation, Advocate Abbasi said the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) had conducted more than 21 raids in connection with the case.
He praised the agency’s investigative efforts and said authorities were continuing to pursue other suspects named in the complaint.
According to the lawyer, several individuals remain at large, including suspects believed to have connections in Murree.
He said further legal action would be taken to locate and arrest those individuals in accordance with the law.
However, the number of raids and the status of the remaining suspects have not been independently confirmed through official NCCIA records.
The lawyer maintained that the campaign against Azaad Digital’s CEO extended beyond criticism of an individual journalist and raised broader concerns about threats, harassment and intimidation directed at media professionals.
He said journalists and media organisations should be able to carry out their professional responsibilities without facing threats against themselves, their employees or their families.
Furthermore, he argued that coordinated online intimidation, if established through evidence, could undermine journalists’ ability to report independently.
The case also highlights the distinction between protected expression, including criticism of media coverage, and conduct that may constitute a criminal offence.
With the two arrested suspects now on judicial remand, investigators are expected to continue examining the available digital evidence and pursuing other individuals allegedly linked to the case.
The lawyer said further proceedings would focus on the evidence gathered from social media accounts, communications and other material obtained during the investigation.
Meanwhile, the allegations against the arrested suspects remain unproven, and their legal responsibility will be determined through the judicial process.
