PTI supporter given a 3-year prison term for tweeting disparaging remarks about the army and senior military officers

 A PTI fan was given a three-year prison sentence by a district and sessions court in Faisalabad for "defaming" the Pakistan Army by engaging in a "very offensive and frightening campaign" on Twitter against the senior military leadership.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) detained Sikandar Zaman, 30, last year after receiving a complaint against him in accordance with sections 20 (Malicious code) and 24(c) (Legal recognition of offences committed in relation to information system) of the 2016 Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act. Additionally, the Pakistan Penal Code's Sections 500 (Punishment for Defamation) and 505 (Statements Contributing to Public Mischief) were cited.

184 people were following him on his account, according to the Pak Lawyers Forum.

The cops also took Zaman's mobile phone and Twitter account.

The first information report (FIR), which is referenced in the judgement, claims that Zaman tweeted last year with the intention of "spreading terror" in society about the Pakistan Army "related to the helicopter incident."

Six soldiers and army officers accepted martyrdom in August 2022 when their helicopter crashed in Balochistan's Lasbela area. Following the crash, a social media campaign started that the army deemed "insensitive" arose. The FIA has then started looking for those responsible for the initiative.

The PTI supporter was brought before the court and a trial got underway after Zaman was arrested. On February 8, the trial came to a conclusion, and Additional Sessions Judge Munsif Khan issued a ruling.

The court's ruling, a copy of which is available at Dawn.com, said that the defendant did not contest ownership of the aforementioned Twitter account.

"During forensic examination, several similar sorts of saved data, totaling 1-29 pages, were recovered from the memory of the found mobile phone. The forensic report of a mobile phone has been prepared in light of the scope provided by the IO (Investigating officer), and as per this scope, forensics was to be conducted regarding posts against the army, according to the technical staff of the FIA, even though these 29 pages do not contain the alleged comments.

The court's ruling, a copy of which is available at Dawn.com, said that the defendant did not contest ownership of the aforementioned Twitter account.

"During forensic examination, several similar sorts of saved data, totaling 1-29 pages, were recovered from the memory of the found mobile phone. The forensic report of a mobile phone has been prepared in light of the scope provided by the IO (Investigating officer), and as per this scope, forensics was to be conducted regarding posts against the army, according to the technical staff of the FIA, even though these 29 pages do not contain the alleged comments.

The date of Zaman's tweet, according to the court, was "important as it has been commented on during the current political turmoil of the country,"

"The accused acknowledged that he is a PTI political employee. The same is supported by every piece of documentary evidence. It is not plausible to assume that the accused made a casual remark without malicious intent or a clear intention in the light of the current situation. Social media and electronic crime have been on the rise for many years.

"The accused had attempted to incite conflict regarding the senior

Additionally, it stated that the prosecution's case about the purported comments, which the court deemed to be "self-speaking," had not been weakened by the defence.

According to ADSG Khan, the prosecution "has completely proven its case in the light of current gadgets" and he was found guilty under sections 20, 24(c), and 500/505 of the PECA, 2016 and PPC.

According to Section 20 of the PECA, the court condemned Zaman to one year in prison and assessed him a Rs. 100,000 fine. He received a year in prison and a Rs. 100,000 punishment under Section 24 of the statute.

According to the court, Sikandar Zaman was also found guilty under Section 500 of the Penal Code and given a one-year S.I. sentence along with a Rs. 10,000 fine.

He received a three-year sentence and a Rs. 50,000 punishment for violating Section 505 of the law. The punishments were to be executed simultaneously.

In addition, it mandated that Zaman be arrested and detained.

"His surety is released from the bail bond's obligation. The court further ordered that the cellphone taken from the inmate during the raid be confiscated in the interest of the state.

Meanwhile, Azhar Mashwani, the PTI's in-charge of social media, said that the Insaf Lawyers Forum was attempting to contact Zaman's family.

Insha Allah, the judgement will be overturned, and the sentence will be suspended.

Chopper crash in Lasbela

On August 1, 2022, an army helicopter that was carrying out flood relief operations in Balochistan crashed in Lasbela, killing six officials, including a corps commander.

A group of social media activists and some political zealots launched an offensive and unacceptable online campaign to further their personal and political animosity after the helicopter crash, which sparked a strong backlash from people from all walks of life, political leaders, and state institutions.

Additionally denouncing the "very reprehensible and regrettable social media campaign" was the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Insha Allah, he tweeted that the punishment will be suspended and the judgement would be appealed.

Helipad crash in Lasbela

Six officials, including a corps commander, were killed when an army chopper crashed in Lasbela on August 1, 2022, while Balochistan was still dealing with floods.

Following the helicopter crash, some social media activists and some political zealots launched an offensive and unacceptable online campaign to further their personal and political animosity. This sparked a strong backlash from people from all walks of life, political leaders, and governmental institutions.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) also denounced the "very reprehensible and regrettable social media campaign."