Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Sonia Ashir is under scrutiny for allegedly spreading fake news. A case under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Amendment Bill is being considered against her.
On February 2, Sonia Ashir posted that the individual involved in a criminal case had been convicted and sentenced. The post incorrectly attributed the punishment of the alleged criminals to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. However, these statements were shown to be false.
Complaint Filed by Victim’s Family
The complaint was filed by the mother of a minor girl who was abducted and sexually assaulted in October 2023. The family alleges that Ashir’s post has:
- Negatively impacted the ongoing legal proceedings.
- Potentially influenced the judicial process.
- Undermined the credibility of the case.
The complainant emphasized that spreading such misinformation violates the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Amendment Bill, which aims to curb fake news and misinformation online.
The case has been referred to the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing for investigation. A formal request has been made to file a case against Sonia Ashir under the PECA Amendment Bill. The victim’s mother also wrote to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging swift action.
The Punjab Police and FIA are actively investigating the matter. Sonia Ashir has not yet publicly commented on the allegations.
As the investigation continues, the legal process is expected to proceed accordingly. This case highlights the growing concerns around the spread of fake news and its potential to disrupt judicial proceedings and public trust.
 Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Sonia Ashir is under scrutiny for allegedly spreading fake news.){kind=link}