A Young Man Named Ishtiaq
On 29th November 29th, 2022 at about 4 in the afternoon, a young man in Islamabad named Ishtiaq received a phone call from a girl. After some chit-chat she told Ishtiaq to come to see her near the PSO gas station at G-8 Markaz. After he reached the location he called back to the same phone number saying that he had arrived. He was told to keep waiting there but the call was disconnected. After a short time, a vehicle of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber-crimes drove up and he was arrested and taken to G-13 Cyber Crimes Police Station. About 5 p.m. his wife was informed that Ishtiaq had been arrested. His family reached the police station and asked about the case. In response the police showed them the First Investigation Report (FIR) and shared the clauses under which he was booked. Police had already confiscated his two cell phones as well as his National Identity Card. The family tried to settle the issue, but because a First Investigation Report (FIR)had been registered it was not possible.
Ishtiaq was presented at court every 15 days, but due to an incomplete Challan (a case summary presented to court written by the police), but after each court appearance the accused was sent back to jail. As Ishtiaq stated, he is member of a WhatsApp group, in which members share different videos and photographs. He was just a member but not the creator. Some objectionable videos about Islam had been shared in the WhatsApp group by a member and he forwarded those to one of his acquaintances named Imran, who then showed the whole record to FIA. Apart from Ishtiaq, one more fellow Umair has been arrested, whereas other members of the group are at large.
Two lawyers, Basharat Masih and Syed Hamil Hassan, are pursuing the case and the latter demanded Rs. Two Million, equivalent to CAN $9773.66, as a fee, which the family is unable to pay. Ghazal, the wife of Ishtiaq, with their two-year- old son Roshan, is begging for help. The forensic test of phones has been done but the result has been kept secret as the case has not yet gone to trial.
Ishtiaq and his father were employees of Capital Development Authority. Ishtiaq was suspended from the job, but his brother has recently been appointed in the same capacity. The family is facing an economic crisis and the wife is also in great tension and stress. All his siblings and parents live in a small, two-room residence and are facing multiple hardships.
Father of the accused telling the story to Saleem.