KARACHI: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has summoned four people for questioning over an alleged social media campaign linking Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and his son, Rawal Memon, to the murder of young businessman Mir Raza Ali.
The latest action comes after Memon filed a complaint with the NCCIA on August 9, alleging that false, fabricated and malicious material was being circulated on social media in connection with the case.
According to the complaint, the posts and videos were allegedly aimed at harassing Memon and his son and damaging their reputations.
Four summoned by NCCIA
The NCCIA has issued notices to Syed Abdullah, Amin Qureshi, Bilal Warisi and Ubaid Qureshi, directing them to appear before the agency’s Karachi office at 11:30am on August 13.
The four individuals have been asked to bring their original identity cards, relevant documents and evidence, as well as any digital devices and records they intend to rely on during the inquiry.
Memon’s lawyer, Advocate Syeda Malaika Naqvi, submitted the formal written complaint to the deputy director of the NCCIA Karachi Zone on August 9.
The complaint was filed against certain social media accounts over allegations of harassment, dissemination of false and malicious content and attempts to damage Memon’s and his son’s reputations.
Social media posts make allegations
Mir Raza Ali’s body was found in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar area a day after he went missing on July 28.
Following the discovery of his body, several posts, videos and statements concerning Memon and his son began circulating on social media accounts, pages and groups.
According to Memon’s complaint, some of the material alleged that a guesthouse in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, where Ali was allegedly tortured and killed, was owned by the Sindh minister.
The posts also allegedly claimed that Rawal Memon travelled to London immediately after the incident and later moved around with a bodyguard.
Sindh Government to Form Judicial Commission to Probe Mir Raza Ali’s Killing
Rawal, who is currently in London on holiday, rejected the allegations.
“I am shocked to see the lies linking me and my father with an inhumane act,” he told Geo News, adding that those responsible should be brought to justice.
He described the allegations as an “organised smear campaign” and said he and his father were unaware of the identities of those operating the social media accounts, pages and groups.
Complaint alleges coordinated campaign
The complaint further alleged that social media content attempted to create an impression that the medical board handling the case had been changed “overnight”.
It also alleged that Memon and his political party were accused of protecting individuals allegedly involved in Ali’s killing and obstructing the police investigation.
According to the complaint, similar claims about ownership of the guesthouse, Rawal’s departure for London and his alleged movement with a bodyguard appeared in largely identical wording across at least four different pages.
Memon’s complaint argued that the similarities suggested the allegations may have been part of a coordinated online campaign rather than isolated posts by individual social media users.
NCCIA asked to trace social media accounts
The complaint requested the NCCIA to use technical and forensic methods to identify the individuals operating the accounts involved in the alleged campaign.
It also called for a forensic and technical audit of the relevant social media accounts and pages, along with the collection of IP logs, device information and SIM registration data to help trace the original users.
Memon’s lawyer urged the agency to take immediate notice, initiate a formal inquiry and conduct an independent investigation into the alleged online campaign.
The complainant also expressed concern that continued circulation of the material could affect the reputation, mental wellbeing and personal security of Memon and his son.
The latest summons represents the first reported action by the NCCIA against individuals identified in connection with Memon’s complaint.
The four people have been directed to appear before the agency on August 13 and provide the documents, records and digital devices requested in the notices.
