ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) today arrested Journalist and TV Analyst Mohsin Baig in Islamabad.
The officials of cybercrime wing of the agency raided the residence of Mohsin Baig and arrested him.
FIA officials claimed that Mohsin Baig, his son and servants opened straight firing on the FIA team which arrested Baig.
Mohsin Baig has been critical of the government’s policies and used to appear on TV talk shows as an analyst.
The FIA cybercrime wing raided the journalist’s house in the federal capital today, along with the police, and took him into custody, according to Geo TV.
Speaking to Geo News, Baig’s son said that FIA officials in plainclothes came to their house earlier today and arrested his father.
“Initially, we thought that they (FIA personnel) are thieves and opened aerial fire, but later they introduced themselves as law enforcers. We also asked them to show arrest warrants but they didn’t have any. Meanwhile, a police party also came to our house.”
The FIA reportedly “faced resistance” during the raid and “dragged” the journalist to a van.
Baig’s lawyer files petition against ‘illegal detention’
Soon after arrest, Baig’s lawyer Raheel Niazi has filed a petition with the court against the illegal detention of the journalist.
Additional sessions judge Justice Zafar Iqbal heard the petition and appointed a bailiff, ordering the authorities to produce Baig in court.
Baig’s lawyer informed the judge that people in plainclothes came to his house earlier today and took the journalist with them.
The journalist and his family members sought arrest warrants and search warrants from the SP and DS; however, they defied all requests.
The lawyer further added that the officials in plainclothes smashed mobile phones and hit the children at the house, taking Baig with them.
Police sources said that the Baig is currently being interrogated at the Margalla police station. They revealed that his family called 15 and police immediately responded to the complaint.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad police spokesperson said that FIA faced resistance and Baig opened fire due to which an FIA official was injured.
“Baig has been transferred to the police station and further legal action is being taken,” the spokesperson said.
Opposition, Journalists condemn Baig’s arrest
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that Baig’s arrest has shown “Imran Khan’s weakness.”
“[PM] Imran Khan Imran Khan is afraid of self-criticism lest people become aware of his truth,” Bilawal said. Bilawal Bhutto added that during PTI’s tenure, terrorists are fleeing while journalists are being arrested.
He further added that Baig was dragged in front of his family and arrested as if he was a terrorist.
“[The] PTI government should release journalist Mohsin Baig immediately,” Bilawal demanded.
Second arrest made by law enforcement agencies
This is the second arrest made by law enforcement agencies during the last week over anti-government commentary.
On Monday, the FIA had arrested a social media activist for running trends against the prime minister on social media. A case had been registered against the accused named Sabir Hashmi after the FIA cyber crime wing conducted an operation in Lahore’s Model Town area.
According to the FIA, Sabir was accused of running an “indecent” trend against PM Imran Khan. The agency has seized Hashmi’s mobile phone and other belongings.
‘Cheap and intolerable act’
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting of the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC), during which he expressed displeasure over the indecent trend that consisted of personal attacks.
Condemning the act, the premier called it “cheap and intolerable”, adding that “such elements cannot be left unchecked and their actions have to be condemned.”
