FIA warns overseas Pakistanis for offensive and seditious videos, pots on social media

Tariq Butt, Correspondent

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has warned the overseas Pakistanis who are allegedly involved in committing offences on social media that their names can be put on the Exit Control List (ECL) and red notices through Interpol to arrest them can be issued.

“All the Pakistani expatriates are advised to desist from spreading chaos in Pakistan. Their social media posts must not be offensive and seditious. They must read the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 to make sure that their social media posts do not constitute any offence,” said a FIA statement.

“If they commit any offence, the red notices through Interpol can be issued to arrest them and their names can be put on the Exit Control List (ECL).”

The statement said the overseas Pakistanis need to avoid committing any offence on social media, and the advisory is only for offenders. Any attempts by anyone, staying anywhere in the world to create disturbance in Pakistan or to defame the dignity of a natural person or to act against modesty of a natural person through fake news or fake videos, are against the laws of Pakistan.

It said such attempts are punishable under Pakistani laws. “The offenders will be prosecuted in Pakistan whenever possible. Hence, anyone must avoid committing any such offences through any media platform.”

Meanwhile, the FIA has initiated an inquiry against anchorperson Sami Ibrahim for allegedly transmitting "anti-state" videos and statements on various social media platforms. The FIA accused him of being “involved in spreading fake news regarding state institutions."

“He has made imputations which are glaring attempts to incite armed forces personnel to mutiny. He has attempted to create chaos in Pakistan through the media while staying abroad," the FIA said.