Controversial remarks against CJP: Facebook management refuses to provide info to FIA

The management of Facebook has refused to provide necessary information to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) with respect to release of a picture shared on social media, which made controversial remarks against Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mian Saqib Nisar. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in December last constituted an inquiry committee of the FIA to probe into the malicious social media campaign and take action against the responsible individuals.
A picture was released on social media in December last, showing President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, whereas it was shared on social media by describing the name of the Chief Justice of Pakistan instead of Jhagra.
Khan also ordered the FIA to contact the management of social media site to obtain information related to release of this picture. Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP), Khalid Khan Niazi has also written a letter to the Interior Ministry to take action against the internet users who are doing so and are indulged in slander online, bringing them to book under the Cyber Crime Law.
According to a statement of the Ministry of Interior, the inquiry committee submitted its report and informed the interior minister that Facebook management has refused to provide necessary information related to the matter. "The interior minister expressed anger over the refusal of Facebook management to share the required information", he added.
The statement quoted the minister as having said that Pakistan has also contacted the United States in this regard but it shows that social media is working under "freedom of lie" instead of freedom of expression.
The interior minister said that it was very unfortunate that the US and Facebook management did not notice the sensitivity of the matter. "It cannot be allowed to make important personalities controversial under the guise of foreign company policy or freedom of expression," he said, adding that the right to freedom of expression will not be allowed to be used as a tool for character assassination and spreading lies. Khan ordered the Ministry of Interior to make a comprehensive strategy in consultation with Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to stop character assassination through social media within three days. Keeping in view all legal options, he ordered the ministry to develop a comprehensive system for the future that could ensure proper use of freedom of expression as well as stop its misuse. He also directed the Interior Ministry to hold meeting with the different companies which operate social media and start consideration regarding introduction of local version of Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter.