Web Desk: Azaad Digital Group of Media has filed a formal complaint with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), seeking an urgent investigation into alleged death threats, online harassment and intimidation targeting its chief executive officer and family members.
The complaint names several individuals associated with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), including Maulana Zia-ur-Rehman, Rashid Soomro, Nasir Soomro and Mufti Owais, and requests an investigation into their alleged involvement.
The media organisation claims the threats emerged after it published investigative programmes criticising JUI-F’s political activities and leadership.
According to the written application submitted to the additional director of NCCIA’s Cyber Crime Reporting Centre in Islamabad, Azaad Digital’s CEO and family members allegedly received threatening messages following the publication of politically sensitive content.
The complaint identifies Maulana Zia-ur-Rehman, son of Mufti Mahmood; Rashid Soomro and Nasir Soomro, sons of Khalid Soomro; and Mufti Owais, son of Aziz-ur-Rehman.
It asks investigators to examine whether any of the named individuals participated in, encouraged or facilitated the alleged harassment.
The application particularly highlights a death threat attributed to Rashid Soomro and requests an investigation into its authenticity, circumstances and possible legal implications.
The complaint also raises concerns about the possible involvement of individuals associated with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s political circle.
Azaad Digital says the controversy began after it published two programmes on its official Facebook platform examining JUI-F’s political positions, alleged financial irregularities and criticism of state institutions.
According to the complaint, the broadcasts questioned the party leadership’s political conduct and highlighted issues the organization considered matters of public interest.
The media group alleges that threatening messages and hostile online activity followed the programmes’ publication.
Furthermore, the complaint claims that the CEO and family members faced intimidation through direct communications, Facebook posts and comments.
Azaad Digital maintains that the alleged conduct created serious concerns about the safety of its leadership and their relatives.
The timing and origin of the messages, as well as any connection between the programmes and the alleged threats, remain matters for investigators to establish.
The application also identifies four Facebook profiles allegedly used to circulate threatening content and harass individuals associated with the media organisation.
Azaad Digital has submitted links to the profiles, URLs of relevant posts and screenshots of social media comments as supporting material.
The organization has requested that NCCIA use available technical and legal procedures to identify the account holders, operators and individuals responsible for publishing the alleged threats.
Investigators have also been asked to determine whether the activity involved coordination among multiple accounts or individuals.
In its application, Azaad Digital has requested four principal measures from the cybercrime authorities.
First, it seeks an immediate formal inquiry into the alleged death threats, harassment and intimidation directed at its CEO and family.
Second, it requests an investigation into the possible involvement of Zia-ur-Rehman, Rashid Soomro, Nasir Soomro and Mufti Owais, with particular attention to the alleged direct threat attributed to Rashid Soomro.
Third, the organisation wants investigators to identify the individuals operating the Facebook accounts and posting threatening messages.
Finally, it has urged authorities to take appropriate legal action against anyone found responsible for issuing, facilitating or coordinating unlawful threats.
The complaint also asks officials to treat the matter as urgent because of the alleged risks to the complainants’ personal safety.
The allegations have raised concerns about the safety of journalists and media organisations reporting on politically sensitive subjects.
Azaad Digital argues that intimidation following the publication of investigative journalism could discourage reporting on matters of public interest.
The organization maintains that disagreements over political coverage should be addressed through lawful channels rather than threats or harassment.
At the same time, the allegations against the named individuals require independent examination, and responsibility cannot be established solely on the basis of a complaint.
The case highlights the importance of protecting journalists from credible threats while ensuring due process for individuals accused of misconduct.
The media organization has urged NCCIA to examine the evidence, determine the source of the alleged threats and take measures to protect those who may be at risk.
It has also requested legal proceedings against individuals whose involvement is established through an investigation.
The material provided does not confirm whether NCCIA has formally registered an inquiry, issued notices or initiated proceedings against any of the named individuals.
Similarly, responses from JUI-F, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Zia-ur-Rehman, Rashid Soomro, Nasir Soomro and Mufti Owais were not available in the supplied account.
The next development will depend on NCCIA’s assessment of the complaint, verification of the digital evidence and any subsequent investigative findings.
For now, Azaad Digital’s complaint places allegations of threats against its leadership before the cybercrime authorities, with the organization seeking protection, accountability and an independent investigation.
