LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Punjab, on Wednesday arrested a youngster from Bahawalpur for allegedly attempting to poison his father after seeking guidance from an artificial intelligence (AI) system on how to administer a potentially fatal substance.

Officials say that according to preliminary information, the suspect, a second-year student, the only son of his parents, had reportedly strained relations with his father and allegedly planned to kill him following a dispute.

They say that during the investigation, it transpired that the teenager had developed an interest in chemistry after watching a crime drama on an OTT platform. He had reportedly also set up a small laboratory at home to conduct chemical experiments.

The officials say that the suspect allegedly obtained some chemicals online from Australia and Islamabad and prepared a substance at home with the intention of poisoning his father.

He reportedly administered the substance to his father on one occasion, but it did not produce the “intended effect.”

After the failed attempt, the teenager allegedly sought further guidance from the AI system, asking it how to administer a poisonous substance, capable of causing death of a person, without being detected, the officials say.

The NCCIA Punjab reportedly received information about the suspect through an automated system. Following this, NCCIA Punjab Director Hissam Bin Iqbal directed formation of a team to investigate the matter and arrest the suspect.

The team later conducted an operation in Bahawalpur and arrested the suspect.

Further investigations are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, the nature of the chemicals involved and the suspect’s online activities.

The case has also raised concerns about minors’ online activities, exposure to crime-related content and the potential misuse of emerging technologies.

Authorities stressed the importance of responsible technology use and greater awareness of children’s online safety.

FIA: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Multan Zone claimed on Wednesday to have arrested two suspects in separate cases involving alleged visa fraud and deceiving people seeking employment in Saudi Arabia.

In Multan, FIA Composite Circle arrested Mubashir Khan, an employee of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), after the Multan Bench of the Lahore High Court dismissed his pre-arrest bail petition. FIA said Khan was nominated in an FIR registered by the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle (AHTC), Multan. The agency alleged that he had affixed signatures and verified an umrah visa/OKB document for a complainant’s family in 2025, which was subsequently found to be fake. The family was allegedly arrested by Saudi authorities upon arrival in the Kingdom. FIA officials said the suspect was arrested by Sub-Inspector Sulaiman Saeed and Assistant Sub-Inspector Atif Shoukat.

Separately, FIA Composite Circle Bahawalpur arrested Muhammad Waqas, a resident of Bahawalpur, in a case in which he allegedly received Rs341,000 from a complainant after promising to send him to Saudi Arabia on an employment visa but failed to fulfil the commitment.

The agency said the suspect was arrested by SI Shoaib Mumtaz and Head Constable Maqsood Ahmad and that further investigation was underway.

In another operation in Rahim Yar Khan on Tuesday, FIA officials, under the supervision of a judicial magistrate, arrested a Mepco employee for allegedly receiving a Rs20,000 bribe. A case was being registered, according to the FIA.

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2026