Lahore, January 11, 2025: A local magistrate’s court has remanded Bilal Malik, a suspect arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing, into three days of physical custody. Malik is accused of orchestrating a social media campaign targeting Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and the President of the United Arab Emirates.
The FIA Cyber Crime Cell apprehended Malik in Lahore on allegations of running an online smear campaign against high-profile figures. During the hearing, FIA representatives argued that further interrogation was necessary to fully uncover the suspect’s activities and identify potential accomplices.
In addition to Malik’s arrest, the FIA Faisalabad registered a separate case against another suspect, Shahzad, for allegedly spreading defamatory content against CM Maryam Nawaz on social media. This case was filed following a complaint by Muhammad Shahid.
To intensify the crackdown, the FIA has formed a joint investigation team led by its Cyber Crimes Additional Director. The team comprises senior officials from Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan, and Lahore, tasked with tracking and arresting others involved in the coordinated online campaigns.
FIA Additional Director Sarfaraz Chaudhry confirmed that operations are underway to dismantle the network responsible for these malicious activities. “We are conducting raids to arrest all individuals connected to this campaign. The suspect in Faisalabad will also be apprehended soon,” he stated.
The FIA’s actions highlight a broader effort to curb cybercrime and prevent the misuse of social media for defamation and disinformation. Authorities have vowed to hold accountable those responsible for targeting prominent figures and spreading misleading content online.
