The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) cybercrime wing and the police arrested Daily Jinnah and Online news agency Editor Mohsin Jamil Baig on Wednesday.
According to details, the FIA Cybercrime wing raided the journalist’s house in the federal capital along with the police and took him into custody, confirmed Baig’s son.
Baig’s son told Geo News that FIA officials in plainclothes came to the house earlier today and arrested his father.
“Initially, we thought that they (FIA personnel) are thieves and opened fire in the air but later they introduce themselves as law enforcers. We also asked them to show arrest warrants but they didn’t have any. Meanwhile, a police party also came to our house.”
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) issued a show-cause notice to News One for airing “derogatory/demeaning remarks” about federal Minister for Communications Murad Saeed “without any editorial check” in a programme, ‘G for Gharidah’. Baig was part of the panelists on the show.
The panelists were discussing the premier’s awarding of certificates to the top ten ministries over their performance in which Saeed’s ministry was awarded the first rank.
Baig is blamed for initiating a debate on a television show with obscene references towards Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and Murad Saeed.
Anchorperson Gharida Farooqi asked the panelists on her show: “The Prime Minister seems satisfied with Murad Saeed. He is in the top position, what could be the reason?”
Analyst Mohsin Baig responded, “The reason [for Murad Saeed being at the top place] is written in Reham Khan’s book. I don’t really know about the projects.”
Meanwhile, it is being reported that Mohsin Baig was arrested after Murad Saeed filed a complaint against him.
Renowned journalist Hamid Mir shared pictures of Baig’s house in the morning when the police and FIA officials surrounded his home in Islamabad, adding that Baig’s “arrest is a sign of weakness not strength of @ImranKhanPTI”.
Journalist Hamza Salam tweeted, “Without any warrants or due cause, former PTI supporter #MohsinBaig has been arrested by FIA Cyber Crime reflecting the panic of the government in the wake of criticism.”
Journalist Munizae Jahangir said, “We condemn the government for using law enforcement agencies to attack journalists in this manner.”
