SHC moves to stop propaganda against Kubra
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block defamatory and scandalous online material against television actor Rabia Iqbal, alias Kubra Khan, on social media sites.
The interim order came on a petition filed by the actor against a scandalous and defamatory campaign against her and three other TV actors on social media.
She submited that a Youtuber who claimed himself as rights activist and former army officer had made false allegations against four actor of the media industry degrading them and causing an affront to their modesty and dignity by alleging that they were used by agencies to lure politicians into compromising positions at safe houses.
Kubra Khan’s lawyer submited that Youtuber Maj (retd) Adil Farooq Raja later on uploaded another video where he clarified the issue and retracted from his earlier version but during the process it had irreparably damaged the reputation of the actors, including the petitioner, on account of the contents uploaded on social media sites and cyberspace.
The counsel said that the act of the Youtuber was strictly cognisable under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 and the PTA was the designated agency to check such illegalities and pass orders to ensure removal of such content.
He argued that the FIA and PTA had been approached for removal of such content but no action had been taken against the Youtuber or removal of the defamatory and scandalous content.
The Sindh High Court was requested to direct the PTA and FIA to take immediate action.
A division bench of the SHC headed by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar ater preliminary hearing of the petition issued notices to the FIA, PTA and others and called their comments.
The court directed the FIA and PTA to block such channels and handles involved in circulating defamatory campaign against the actors and remained vigilant in this regard.
Kubra Khan’s television appearances include Shaadi Mubarak ho (2015), Sang-e-mar Mar (2016), Alif Allah Aur Insaan (2017), Alif (2019), Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay and Sinf-e-aahan both in (2021).
Kubra was last appeared in Hum TV’S Sange-mah (2022).