IHC Orders FIA Action Against Data Leak Involving Justice Babar Sattar

On July 2, Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to take action against individuals who disseminated Justice Babar Sattar’s personal information on social media. The court also requested assistance from the social media platform X to identify the accounts involved.
The FIA has identified five individuals concerning the data leaks, including vloggers Chaudhry Saeed Akhtar and Ihsan Chatta. Justice Sattar had filed a complaint regarding the unauthorized sharing of his personal details.
Justice Sattar’s petition against the FIA, which alleged inaction in identifying those responsible for the leaks, prompted the IHC’s order. Initially, the FIA claimed an inability to identify the perpetrators, but the court has now mandated action.
During the hearing, the FIA presented a report to a bench comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, and Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan. Additional Attorney General Barrister Munawar Iqbal Duggal informed the court that a three-member FIA team identified five individuals, issuing notices to them, although only two responded. A Karachi-based journalist, identified with the help of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), denied involvement in the posts against Justice Sattar.
The FIA’s investigation tracked 39 accounts, though 29 were inaccessible. Some accounts, reportedly operated from Pakistan, could not be identified through Nadra’s software. The FIA contacted the social networking platform X, which suggested they approach the US embassy for further assistance.
In a related move, the IHC registrar’s office wrote to X seeking information about the accounts spreading defamatory and false information about the judge. The letter emphasized that the false information aimed to discredit Justice Sattar and undermine the judiciary’s integrity.
The IHC’s letter requested details about the account holders, including contact information and IP addresses, as well as any other information that might aid in identifying these individuals. The court also inquired whether there was a coordinated effort to make the defamatory tweets trend.
Additional Attorney General Duggal informed the bench during the hearing that a formal inquiry had been lodged, and the FIA had issued notices to the six accused. Two of them have joined the inquiry, and another has sent his reply. He added that the ISI’s response is ready and will be submitted soon. Duggal also reported that a three-member FIA committee, led by an additional director, has checked half of the 51,000 logged-in accounts over the last three months.