FIA books TV host Rizwan 'Dada' under Peca, PPC for 'defaming' state institutions
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The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has booked Din News TV host Rizwanur Rehman Razi 'Dada' on charges that he posted "defamatory and obnoxious" content against the judiciary, government institutions and intelligence agencies on his Twitter account, it emerged on Saturday.
The FIA, in an FIR dated Feb 8, has stated that Razi was "summoned" to join the inquiry and have his statement recorded.
The agency's phrasing of its report conflicts with an update posted on Razi's Facebook account, where someone claiming to be his son said that Razi was bundled into a car and "abducted" from their home.
The agency, in the FIR, a copy of which is available with Dawn, further states that the accused "admitted" to uploading content against the judiciary and other departments, and was "very embarrassed" and had even apologised.
Razi, as per the FIA's FIR, promised that he would "not upload such derogatory/humiliating posts" against state institutions such as the judiciary, Pakistan Armed forces and intelligence agencies.
The FIA said that Razi's mobile phone was confiscated during the inquiry and a forensic data extraction report was obtained.
Furthermore, the agency said that it has "accorded permission to register a case" against Razi.
The FIR against Razi mentions Sections 11 and 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (Peca) — a cyber-crime law which had been widely criticised by civil rights campaigners as 'draconian' at the time of its passage by the Nawaz Sharif-led PML-N government.
Read more: Controversial Cyber Crime Bill approved by NA
Section 11 pertains to hate speech and can carry a prison sentence of up to seven years, as well as a fine.
Section 20, meanwhile, pertains to "offences against the dignity of a natural person" and carries "imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to Rs1 million".
The FIR against Razi also mentions Section 500 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which pertains to defamation and carries "an imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both".
Razi's Twitter account has become inaccessible following his arrest.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (67) Closed
Feb 09, 2019 07:17pm
This guy should be put in jail and on hard labor
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Feb 09, 2019 07:25pm
Simply, 'you reap what you sow' and pay the price for inciting people and issuing controversial statements without any proof or evidence. Freedom of speech doesn't mean that anyone can criticize our Army, judiciary and government without substantiating their claims or supporting opposition parties narratives.
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Feb 09, 2019 07:31pm
Freedom of press is under attack in Pakistan.
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Feb 09, 2019 07:33pm
No one should be above the law!!
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Feb 09, 2019 07:44pm
Freedom of speech? That's how freedom works.
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Feb 09, 2019 07:45pm
We need people , writers , journalist , and politicians who will help the Govt of Pakistan in this hour of need, we need positive work , not just advice , and people who defame Pakistan should be put behind bars.
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Feb 09, 2019 08:06pm
Abducting people in a broad-day light is utterly shocking. Also kindly shutdown the courts, because if the state institutions have to settle the scores by abducting and threatening people, then we don't need courts or rule of law in our country anymore.
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Feb 09, 2019 08:07pm
Razi Dada is against PTI and this is his biggest crime.
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Feb 09, 2019 08:19pm
Thanks to PMLN's cyber crime bill. It was PMLN that brought that bill to control media. Nawaz Sharif was very happy on the bill. It was first used against PTI followers and many were arrested in the past. Many people protested against this bill and now we are watching the consequences. Razi Dada is arrested based on the same cyber crime bill.
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Feb 09, 2019 08:21pm
Naya Pakistan
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Feb 09, 2019 08:25pm
Where is the freedom of expression and press, can any champion gives answer.
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Feb 09, 2019 08:30pm
This country is under control of pathetic dictatorship where no one can express anything freely else u'll b kidnapped...
Or u should become "lafafa" journalist then u r safe.
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Feb 09, 2019 08:35pm
@Awan, and it should be.
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Feb 09, 2019 08:36pm
These are foreign paid journalists, the part of the 5th generation warfare against pakistan. He was warned but still did it. Needed the money.
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Feb 09, 2019 08:40pm
Govt should take strict action
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Feb 09, 2019 08:54pm
When you don't have answers to their questions - Arrest them, Register baseless FIR, Put on handcuffs & Humiliate !
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Feb 09, 2019 08:58pm
Now it fashion to get fame or some " foreign" attention to get personal gain.
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Feb 09, 2019 08:59pm
I thought PTI were to create an exemplary state; they seem to be establishing a dictatorship!
If no one would be allowed to criticize some of the selected institutions of the government, then how weaknesses and excesses will be identified and corrected!
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Feb 09, 2019 09:01pm
A citizens of Pakistan must obey the rules of the state irrespective of his/her profession. This term freedom of speech and expression is misunderstood/used in our country rather it is being used as cover to propagate/ project some specific agenda. Local rival political parties and specially International Organizations are using most of media persons to promote their themes and agendas under the garb of press freedom or rights of people pretexts. This trend must be curbed and state must exercise its constitutional authority against the defaulters. This guy is die hard stooge of PMLN and was airing prohibited contents on social media on the behest of PMLN for which FIA has very aptly taken action. This abduction drama is again a staged trick to prove themselves innocent which is contrary to the facts.
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Feb 09, 2019 09:15pm
Being media person does not mean that you are Holy cow. He must be punishment as per law. And others should be in limits
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Feb 09, 2019 09:15pm
@ahmed, Freedom of speech yes but not freedom to abuse, defame and denigrate only state institutions that are keeping the state in tact - armed forces and judiciary to an extent. If it was down to the politicians Pakistan would have been sold off or split into little fiefdoms a long time ago.
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Feb 09, 2019 09:19pm
@Awan, But you are still able to write negative comments about PTI every day. Mr Rizwans media utterings are almost obscene.
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Feb 09, 2019 09:21pm
@Awan, and I do not recall any protesting comments from you at the time.
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Feb 09, 2019 09:25pm
Freedom of speech in dangor in Pakistan..true and fair reporting gets this kind of threat in pakistan.
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Feb 09, 2019 09:28pm
When journalists use thier place to incite hate, misunderstanding and pass judgments against state and institutions without proof, they should be held accountable like common criminal.
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Feb 09, 2019 09:33pm
@SAK, You are missing the history lesson from 1971. Free press is considered one of the pillar of a democracy. Yes, the state laws should be obeyed, but not illegal ones where common citizens are becoming missing citizens in the name of security.
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Feb 09, 2019 09:34pm
@Tariq, Any personal experience of "pathetic dictatorship ". Words are cheap and negative slogans come easy to PML-N and PPP. Today's Pakistan is in a much better place and in safe hands.
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Feb 09, 2019 09:39pm
PTI days are numbered!
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Feb 09, 2019 09:54pm
A very troubling conflict between freedom of speech and government sensitivity to
criticism...
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
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Feb 09, 2019 09:54pm
Now he is famous. Earlier I didnt know him. If he did so, he would be punished. Simple
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Feb 09, 2019 09:56pm
Surely FREEDOM OF SPEECH is not allowed in any country to speak against its own Government Institutions and Army. Right decision
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Feb 09, 2019 10:05pm
@M Naqvi, Stop this nonsense please. I don't follow any party. I only know the difference in right and wrong. Also get out of this PTI mania so that you could start thinking objectively. Political parties must not be worshipped. They all have their faults.
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Feb 09, 2019 10:13pm
It's amazing how absolutely nothing has changed in Pakistan in more than half a century!
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Feb 09, 2019 10:14pm
Such paid elements should be dealt with full force and exposed
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Feb 09, 2019 10:15pm
@Irfan, Go try such 'freedom' in any country and see the result
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Feb 09, 2019 10:18pm
@Aamir, very true
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Feb 09, 2019 10:26pm
This is usually done to create fear in fraternity. I have seen some vedios of Razi on YouTube. Didn't find those offensive. What is the exact objection is not mentioned.
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Feb 09, 2019 10:30pm
Shameful act of agencies. He was always under threat and had been receiving threatening calls.
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Feb 09, 2019 10:42pm
If you do not have the freedom to criticize your own government, you have no freedom!
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
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Feb 09, 2019 10:45pm
Did he incite anyone? Any dharnas or protests occur causing damage to life and property? Yet he confessed and is being charged. The country will never progress.
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Feb 09, 2019 10:48pm
Must be dealt wd iron hands.no leniency for traitors.
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Feb 09, 2019 10:50pm
Somehow things are not shaping well for the country
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Feb 09, 2019 10:56pm
If he has committed any crime ,he should be tried in an open court of law.
This is supposed to be Pakistan,not North Korea ; Or is it Chile under Gen. Augusto Pinochet??
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Feb 09, 2019 11:08pm
So much for freedom of press.
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Feb 09, 2019 11:09pm
If one looks at his tweets, especially those concerning a minority, his arrest is not surprising. He has been spewing poison.
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Feb 09, 2019 11:10pm
@Awan, No, his biggest crime is spreading religious hatred.
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Feb 09, 2019 11:20pm
Freedom of press is under attack in Pakistan.
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Feb 09, 2019 11:25pm
Good, many more to come!
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Feb 09, 2019 11:50pm
@Irfan, freedom of expression doesn't mean to spread hate against the state institutions....There is the due duty of a journalist to fairly report anything before people not biased thoughts... bring change in your thoughts first... to get changed country...
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Feb 09, 2019 11:51pm
Very senior and patriotic journalist. You can say a pure ' Muhib e watan ' . Shame on PTI dictatorship
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Feb 09, 2019 11:54pm
There is a line between freedom of expression and responsible journalism all over the world,otherwise it will anarchy.
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Feb 10, 2019 12:14am
Rizwan Dada must respect state & it’s institutions.
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Feb 10, 2019 12:55am
Well done.
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Feb 10, 2019 12:56am
People here clearly don't understand how freedom of speech works. Name one country whose newspaper show this behaviour and they don't face consequences for their actions. What they are doing now is 'lying' and 'misleading' people. Show proof. Don't make up stories.
This way people can abuse and make false allegations against anyone without any proof under the label of freedom of speech.
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Feb 10, 2019 12:58am
Indians folks who are lecturing others on freedom of speech, should talk about what happened to gauri lankesh? Where was the freedom of speech in her case. Leave freedom of speech aside, you don't have freedom to eat anything you like.
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Feb 10, 2019 03:27am
Unfortunately, such actions on part of our security agencies is causing a wider divide between general public and the state institutions, which is exactly opposite of what we think we are trying to achieve. Freedom of speech is a divine right ( as long as it doesn't step on others rights).
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Feb 10, 2019 03:43am
So who's bidding this guy was doing? Some one notorious for running the "media cell"?
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Feb 10, 2019 04:22am
End of freedom of speech, democracy and constructive criticism. Slippery slop in to authoritarianism and dictatorship in Naya Pakistan.
Let corruption, incompetence and ineptitude run amok. If you dare call a spade a spade jack boots will come marching in kicking in your bed room door.
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Feb 10, 2019 04:25am
Can one not express an opinion without being immediately labelled as unpatriotic ? It is sad that freedom of expression is being curtailed so drastically. If any defamatory words have been said against judiciary, then the legal system can start a contempt of court proceedings but FIA has nothing to do with it.
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Feb 10, 2019 04:30am
@Syed Ghazanfar Abbas, In all democratic countries criticism in a constructive spirit is always allowed. Just look at the other side of eastern border and you will read so many critical and even sometimes derogatory remark against the PM there. Nobody gets abducted for that. After all he who is criticising the Government or its Institutions is also patriotic like any Ali or Abdul.
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Feb 10, 2019 05:45am
@Zak, so those who point out the problems are foreign agents and those who are cheerleaders are honest.
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Feb 10, 2019 06:54am
@Aliaa Khan, What if his hard labour results in labour pain for you? You seem so genuinely delighted at the whole prospect that one could not help imaging the whole scenario. Or maybe you are just another youthian! Even worse if you ask me!
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Feb 10, 2019 08:40am
Establishment is defending all their illegal actions in the name of fifth generation war. Sad part is, some of low IQ people believe it also.
If they have any proof, let's bring them in civil court and let law should take it's course.
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Feb 10, 2019 08:43am
People with guns afraid of the pen of a journalist. Indeed pen is more powerful than the sword.
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Feb 10, 2019 08:48am
Poor frustrated khalai makhlooq don't know what to do now. They did so much to topple an elected government and send them behind bars. They installed their chosen ones but they turned out to be highly incompetent and pushed the country into economic crises. Now the Khalai Makhlooq is frustrated and trying to pick up every one speaking against their nefarious actions.
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Feb 10, 2019 09:41am
Democracy is not for Pakistan.
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Feb 10, 2019 09:58am
Corrupts do not want to be exposed, such laws save them.
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