KARACHI: Bilal Farooqi, a senior journalist affiliated with a national newspaper, was arrested from his residence in Karachi’s Defense area on Friday.
According to police, Bilal Farooqui, who was employed at a national newspaper has been arrested by the station investigation officer (SIO) of Defence police.
Police sources further said Farooqi was wanted in FIR No. 613/2020 u/s 500/505 PPC of PS Defence dated 9th Septemeber.
The FIR against Farooqi was under Sections 500 and 505 of the Pakistan Penal Code and Sections 11 and 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016 on the complaint of a private citizen.
On a social media website Twitter, journalist Ebad Ahmed said Farooqi was taken into custody from his home by “two men in plainclothes accompanied by two policemen”.
He said police later visited his home again and officials informed Farooqi’s wife that he had been detained at a police station in DHA. “Police have taken possession of Bilal’s phone,” he added.
Police re-visited @bilalfqi’s home. The officials told his wife that he is detained at a police station in Defence. Police have taken possession of Bilal’s phone.
— Ebad Ahmed (@ebadahmed) September 11, 2020
According to the FIR, the complainant, Javed Khan, a resident of Majeed Colony in Landhi area, said he had visite found highly objectionable material shared by Farooqi on Facebook and Twitter platforms.
Javed further claimed that highly provocative posts had been shared by Farooqi against the Pakistan Army and those pertaining to religious hatred.
The complainant alleged that Farooqi had defamed the Pakistan Army and such social media posts may be used by hostile elements for their nefarious designs. Therefore, legal action should be taken against him.
Journalist Mubashir Zaidi in a Twitter post said, “FIR registered against @bilalfqi for posting anti-military and alleged sectarian social media posts”.
FIR registered against @bilalfqi for posting anti-military and alleged sectarian social media posts pic.twitter.com/R3rob77uzc
— Mubashir Zaidi (@Xadeejournalist) September 11, 2020
