FIA arrests PTI activist Qazi Jalal for ‘tweeting against judiciary’

PESHAWAR: Federal Investigation Agency’s cyber crime wing Peshawar has arrested a Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf social-media activist for allegedly posting a message against the judiciary on social-media website Twitter, sources in the federal agency confirmed Wednesday. Qazi Jalal of the PTI has been charged under Sections 36 and 37 of the Pakistan Electronic Transactions Ordinance 2002 and has been remanded under FIA custody for two days.

http://www.dawn.com/news/1215966

In the FIR, Qazi Jalal has been charged under Sections 36 & 37 of the Electronic Transactions Ordinance (ETO). These sections have been routinely used to charge people with ‘cyber crimes.’ More details of the case have yet to emerge. He is currently in custody and likely to get a bail hearing before court tomorrow.

Jalal’s arrest in light of the upcoming PECB and current application of ETO sets a dangerous precedent.

People’s use of online media to express themselves in connection to others is problematic and needs to be addressed. But arrests are excessive. There is a lot that falls into a grey area and is subject to people’s opinions. There’s a need to kickstart a discussion on this ‘grey area’ where privacy and speech are concerned. Loosely worded laws and vague applications of them will land everyone in jail. Today it’s a PTI activist, tomorrow it could be someone from another party, a political commentator or analyst or even an average citizen. Sooner or later it will happen. Responsible use of online platforms is a conversation we have just not had and need to, but excessive controls and action are no healthy alternate.’