400k Accounts Exposed In Blasphemy Cases: FIA

News Desk

Islamabad: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing (CCW) filed a report stating that over 400,000 social media accounts in Pakistan are involved in disseminating severe blasphemy, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony (MORA).

The CCW has apprehended individuals involved in these crimes, including doctors, professors, engineers, chartered accountants, lawyers, and people from various walks of life.

The proliferation of indecency through social media is promoting the degradation of our society and dragging the new generation into the quagmire of blasphemy.

In an effort to stop the use of social media platforms for the dissemination of offensive and unsuitable content, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony (MORA) emphasised the urgent need for awareness across all spheres of society.

MORA urged people to take an active part in the campaign to curb offensive materials and, whenever possible, to use legal means to stop them by reporting them to the appropriate cybercrime authorities and the FIA.

As per Ministry sources, highly organised campaigns on social media platforms are being conducted to spread extremely blasphemous material against the most revered figures, including Allah Almighty (God), the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), the Ahl al-Bayt (Prophets family), the Mothers of the Believers, the Companions of the Prophet, the Holy Quran, and the national flag. Such offensive content is being shared through images and videos on specific applications and groups.

Controlling this epidemic requires not only parents’ awareness but also education within society to prevent the circulation of such material and to utilise legal measures in all circumstances to obstruct these crimes, said the Ministry. This will enable society to combat such crimes effectively under the rule of law, it added.

CCW has already apprehended 140 individuals involved in these crimes, with 11 of them having received the death penalty from trial courts and two having their death sentences confirmed by the High Court.

There are 15 cybercrime units throughout the country under the jurisdiction of the FIA. These units have already established Anti-Blasphemy Cells, and immediate action is taken upon receiving reports in response to requests made to these cells.

Cybercrime technology traces criminals who engage in offensive activities on any social media application, share derogatory material on any website, or use VPNs. Once apprehended, these individuals are arrested and face legal action in accordance with the law.

In case of any obstacles or difficulties, the FIA can be contacted for legal action at 051 111345786, while complaints about blocking offensive content can be registered with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) or the FIA via the following link: https://complaint.pta.gov.pk/RegisterComplaint.aspxComplaints@fia.gov.pk.