ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) social media activist Falak Javed Khan has been arrested by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in connection with a case involving the circulation of fake and edited videos of Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari, her lawyer confirmed on Wednesday.
According to PTI, Falak was detained in Islamabad late Tuesday night. Advocate Mian Ali Ashfaq, representing Falak, said that she was taken into custody on allegations of manipulating and spreading doctored content targeting the Punjab minister.
“My team and I will appear before the Lahore District Court tomorrow in Falak Javed’s case. We will provide her with full legal assistance. If NCCIA seeks her physical remand, we will strongly oppose it,” the lawyer said, adding that the defense team was “reviewing the case from all angles.”
The controversy dates back to July 2024, when Azma Bokhari filed a complaint alleging that edited images and videos of her had been widely circulated on social media. She claimed that Falak Javed was directly involved in producing and spreading the material.
Bokhari had petitioned the court, arguing that the content defamed her character and violated her constitutional rights. She urged the judiciary to direct the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to take action under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
At the time, Bokhari expressed dissatisfaction over FIA’s lack of progress, alleging that the agency failed to act despite repeated requests. She insisted on strict accountability of those behind the campaign.
The case now lies with the NCCIA, which has intensified its investigation. Legal proceedings are expected to begin Thursday, when Falak Javed is produced before the district court in Lahore.
