Azma bukhari urges shutdown of FIA’s cybercrime wing, calls it a ‘white elephant’

LAHORE:Punjab Information Minister, Azma Zahid Bukhari, proposed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif the closure of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)’s cybercrime wing, labelling it a “white elephant” that drains national resources without providing real benefits to the public.

Speaking to reporters at the Lahore High Court, where her case involving a bogus film was heard, Bukhari criticized the cybercrime wing’s incompetence and lack of knowledge.

KEEP READING:

Youm-i-Istehsal Kashmir: PM Shehbaz urges India to ‘move to dispute resolution’ for lasting regional peace

Govt sets up 8-member task force for reforms in energy sector

Electricity bills: Govt struggling to find solution to capacity charges

She was surprised to be asked by FIA officials about the X (previously Twitter) identities that distributed the film, and she questioned whether it was her job to keep them updated. Bukhari said that the officials were unclear of why VPNs are used in Pakistan and whether similar activities are popular in other nations, showing a lack of technical understanding.

The minister also chastised the media for linking the false video clip to her, querying how anybody could tell whether it was indeed her in the tape.

Court proceeding

Chief Justice (CJ) Aalia Neelum of the Lahore High Court has directed that relevant parties respond by August 29 to Bukhari’s plea against Falak Javed and others for allegedly disseminating the bogus video.

During the hearings, FIA officers announced the arrest of an accused, Shafique, in Gujarat. CJ Neelum highlighted the need of apprehending the individual who first published the video, adding that while social media has its uses, bad information must be monitored.

Inquiries about X’s current status and government rules found that the social networking site has been prohibited in Pakistan since February 17. The federal attorney emphasized that X is accessed over a VPN, over which the government has no authority.

The court has requested additional explanation on X’s rules and the SOPs that govern its services in Pakistan, as well as an update on the investigation’s progress, including the arrest of the person who initially disseminated the video.