The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) invaded Mohsin Jamil Baig’s home in Islamabad on Wednesday and arrested him after he allegedly fired at and roughed up members of the raiding squad.
The FIA’s Cyber Crime Circle raided Baig’s house after obtaining a search and seizure request from the relevant court, according to a news release published by the investigation agency.
“During the raid, Mohsin Baig and his son, as well as his slaves, opened fire on the FIA team, holding two officials hostage,” according to the press release. Baig was apprehended after running out of shots and transferred to the Margalla police station, where legal proceedings were underway, according to the report.
The FIA said it carried out the raid in response to a complaint from Communications Minister Murad Saeed, who had filed a first information report (FIR) against Baig at the agency’s Lahore cybercrime reporting centre under Sections 20 (offences against the dignity of a natural person), 21-D (offences against the modesty of a natural person and minor), and 24 (cyber stalking) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, read with Sections
According to the FIR, Baig “assassinated” Saeed’s persona in a talk show by using “immoral and harsh words.” A copy of the FIR is available. According to the report, Baig told a “baseless storey with insulting remarks” that was then posted on social media and “shattered” the federal minister’s public image.
It claimed that the comments had harmed the minister’s reputation and caused public confusion. A case was to be filed against Baig, according to the FIR.
Last week, Baig was on a TV panel where the anchor and panellists questioned the choice to give Federal Minister Murad Saeed the top prize in a ceremony honouring the top ten performing federal ministries. The panel had made several harsh and scathing remarks about the federal minister, implying with innuendoes that some ‘other considerations’ were behind the award than his ministry’s performance.
The presentation drew a barrage of condemnation from government authorities, and cable networks reportedly pulled NewsOne, the channel that broadcast it, off the air. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority had previously served the channel with a show-cause notice after it broadcast ‘unethical’ statements regarding a federal minister.
Meanwhile, Shahbaz Gill, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Communication, uploaded a video from today’s incident outside Baig’s home, in which the media celebrity can be seen brandishing a gun, manhandling an unidentified male, and kicking him to his knees. Gunshots may be heard as Baig takes a shooting stance, as shown in the video.
یہ ہیں محسن بیگ۔ یہ ہے حقیقت۔ یہ سمجھتے ہیں یہ قانون کو pic.twitter.com/1CmIWZyW3j
— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) February 16, 2022
Meanwhile, Baig’s lawyer, Raheel Niazi, filed a petition in the court of Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal for his client’s release. Baig was ordered to appear in court by the judge, who appointed a bailiff.
Outside the court in Islamabad, Niazi told the media that some men in civvies barged into Baig’s house this morning. He claims that when they were asked to identify themselves, they refused, resulting in a confrontation.
When Niazi arrived on Baig’s request, he discovered the area superintendent (SP) and deputy superintendent of police were also present. According to him, police officers were advised that Baig was willing to accompany them if arrest warrants were issued.
“‘I will return with the warrant,’ the SP responded. He stepped outside and ordered the civilians to go inside and attack. Then they entered the house without revealing who they were or showing their wallets, misbehaving with family members, slapping youngsters, and stealing and breaking mobile phones and cameras.
“Unknown persons kidnapped (Baig) and carried [him] away, all under the watchful eye of the SP.” He was present at the scene and, rather than following the legal procedure, he did everything unlawfully, claiming, “I have orders from higher authorities, and [they] are in contact with me on the phone, and I have to fulfil their directions – be it legally or illegally,” Niazi remarked.
Later, the Margalla police station provided a report to the court bailiff, which stated that a FIR was filed against Baig under Pakistan Penal Code Sections 148 (rioting with a deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly of people), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 324 (attempt to murder), 342 (power to examine the accused), and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty).
Since Baig was formerly a buddy of Prime Minister Imran Khan, opposition leaders have denounced his detention, with PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif claiming it demonstrates how “panicked the leadership” is.
He chastised the prime minister for being unable to take “little criticism” and said that free expression had been severely curtailed during his rule.
Arrest of Mohsin Baig, once a fast friend of IK, shows how panicked the regime is. Niazi sb gives long sermons on democray & morality but cannot stand even minor criticism. Free speech has vastly been curtailed in last 3.5 years of his rule. It is worst time in nation's history.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 16, 2022
Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said Baig’s arrest demonstrated the prime minister’s “weakness.”
“Imran Khan is so weak that he is scared of self-criticism lest the truth about him be revealed.”
He stated, “Journalist Mohsin Baig was hauled in front of his family and arrested as if he were a terrorist.”
The PPP chairman claimed during the PTI’s administration, terrorists managed to flee while journalists were arrested. He demanded that Baig be released immediately by the authorities.
During a press conference later in the day, SAPM Gill questioned Baig’s credentials as a journalist, asking reporters, “Just tell me whose newspaper or TV channel he works for?”
He stated Baig ran an advertising agency before launching a journalistic organisation. “It’s important to note that he is not a journalist.”
He said that Saeed was only exercising his legal right to make a complaint against Baig for his “very filthy and indecent remarks,” and that he was going through the proper channels to do so. “However, he (Baig) resorted to [violence], firing at police and other law enforcement officers,” Gill said, adding that “Baig aimed a pistol at the state, and the state will now reply to him.”
