Three booked for 'cyberterrorism' in Pakistan after Jaffer Express attack

Pakistan's premier investigation agency has filed cases against three people, accusing them of 'cyberterrorism' following the deadly attack on the Jaffar Express in Balochistan.

The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) cybercrime wing booked journalist Ahmed Noorani, activist Aina Durkhanai, and lawyer Shafeeq Ahmed. All three individuals live abroad.

The complaints were lodged by Anees Ur Rehman, a technical assistant at the agency, who has previously filed similar complaints against journalists Jameel ur Rehman and Asad Ali Toor.

The cases have been registered under sections 9, 10, and 26-A of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. Section 9 criminalizes content that glorifies offenses or promotes hate speech, whereas Section 10 addresses cyber activities that threaten national security or create panic in society. Section 26A grants authority to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to remove or block online content that violates PECA 2016.

The individuals stand accused of “knowingly disseminating fake, false, misleading and misinterpreted information likely to cause fear, panic, disorder, or unrest in society”.

They are also charged with allegedly glorifying the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which claimed responsibility for the attack, and inciting the public against state institutions through false propaganda.

The Jaffar Express, traveling from Quetta to Peshawar with about 440 passengers, was targeted on Tuesday by separatist militants. The attackers blew up rail tracks and hijacked the train. At least 27 people were killed in the attack.

Speaking to Nukta, digital rights activist and journalist Farieha Aziz said the state's response to incidents where its narrative is challenged is often to "silence and intimidate people".

"Whenever an incident occurs, there are two sides to the story. Expecting only the official narrative to be repeated is like forcing everyone to operate like PTV, which is already happening with mainstream electronic channels," she said.

Farieha questioned the legitimacy of filing FIRs over contested narratives.

"People may disagree with a journalist’s choice of words or viewpoint, but an appropriate or proportionate response is not an FIR. When figures and narratives are disputed, who decides the truth?" she said.

"PECA is being used exactly as intended: to silence critical commentary," she added.

The FIA did not respond to Nukta's request for comments.