LAHORE: A judicial magistrate on Monday issued bailable warrants for the arrest of one of the suspects in a case registered under the cybercrime law against singer Meesha Shafi and others on the complaint of actor-cum-singer Ali Zafar.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) lodged the FIR under section 20 of Pakistan Electronic Crime Act and section 109 of Pakistan Penal Code against at least eight persons for allegedly running a smear campaign against the complainant on social media.

As Judicial Magistrate Zulfiqar Bari resumed hearing, lawyers of five suspects filed their power of attorney while suspect Ali Gul Pir failed to appear before the court despite summons.

At this, the court issued bailable warrants for his arrest for the next hearing.

Court dismayed at delay in FIA report

The magistrate also expressed dismay as no one appeared on behalf of the FIA as the prosecution, on the last hearing, was directed to ensure submission of a report regarding remaining suspects, including Shafi and Maham Javed.

“However, no report was submitted nor AD Legal FIA has appeared to apprise this court regarding the present situation of investigation,” the magistrate noted in his written order.

He directed the FIA’s Lahore director to take necessary action against the delinquent official and inform the court. The director was also asked to ensure submission of the required report on Feb 9.

Earlier, lawyers Malik Awais Khalid and Farah Malik filed their fresh power of attorney on behalf of suspects Leena Ghani, Usama Khawar Ghumman on behalf of Fariha Ayub, Haseemur Zaman and Syed Faizan Raza, G.A. Khan Tariq on behalf of Iffat Omar while Falak Sher Bakhsh Gill on behalf of Ali Zafar, the complainant.

The FIA, in its interim challan already filed with the court, found the charges against the suspects true. Zafar is pursuing a defamation suit pending against Shafi since she accused him of causing sexual harassment. Recently, make-up artist Leena Ghani also filed a civil suit before the Sindh High Court against Zafar on the charges of sexual harassment.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2021