LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) cyber crime wing has launched a probe against those involved in editing and spreading doctored images of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on social media.

The UAE president had arrived at the Rahim Yar Khan Airport on Sunday last, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed him. Maryam Nawaz was also present there and greeted the visiting dignitary with a handshake.

However, Ms Nawaz faced criticism from some quarters, especially the PTI supporters, who termed her handshake with the UAE president inappropriate.

Later, AI-generated videos and pictures of her interaction with the UAE president were also widely circulated online.

The FIA cyber crime wing, Lahore, on Thursday launched the inquiry and declared that action would be taken against those uploading the AI-generated videos and images of the Punjab CM and the UAE president within the country and abroad.

A fake UAE Embassy letter, requesting the Pakistan government to take action against the propaganda against Mr Al Nahyan and his interaction with Punjab CM also surfaced on social media.

Published in Dawn, January 10th, 2025