The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) cybercrime wing has filed a case against PTI leader Shahbaz Gill and YouTuber Imran Riaz Khan, along with two other individuals, for allegedly editing and spreading doctored images and videos of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on social media.
Gill and Riaz have been charged under sections 20, 21(d), and 24 of the PECA 2016 for distributing AI-generated content via their X (formerly Twitter) accounts. Another suspect, Muhammad Nadeem Javed, faces similar charges. Sections 20 and 21 of PECA could result in up to seven years of imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 5 million, while section 24(d) carries a potential five-year sentence.
The PTI leader and the YouTuber are accused of inciting the public to share derogatory AI-generated content aimed at tarnishing the reputations of foreign dignitaries and government officials. The FIR states that the intent was to harm Pakistan’s relations with international powers and damage the country’s national interest.
While Gill is currently in the US and Riaz is believed to have left the country, the FIA has arrested two additional suspects, Muhammad Ejaz and Aamir Abbas, in connection with the case. A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has been formed to further investigate the matter, with several social media accounts identified as part of the dissemination of the manipulated images and videos.
The incident involved AI-generated visuals of Maryam Nawaz interacting with the UAE president during his visit to Rahim Yar Khan earlier this month. The FIA initiated the investigation after receiving complaints and discovering that 20 social media accounts were involved in spreading false content.
