Fauzia Wahab’s son wishes death to Ansar Abbasi
ISLAMABAD: At least one confirmed source of harassment and threats to journalists not liked by the ruling PPP has finally been detected when a threat sent through an SMS to senior Islamabad journalist, Ansar Abbasi, was traced by authorities and found to be coming from Ali Wahab Siddiqui, the son of PPP information secretary Fauzia Wahab.
Ali Wahab, talking to The News, admitted the ownership of his mobile number: 0333-2182500, from which these threats were sent to editor (investigations) The News, Islamabad. Wahab said he stands by his messages sent to Ansar and initially refused to offer an apology when caught red-handed.
The exact words of one of such messages received by Ansar Abbasi from Ali Wahab’s cell number on December 18, 2009 were: “I am waiting for the day where the only achi khabar will be of ur being fired or ur death. Jamati” (I am waiting for the day when only good news will be of your being fired or your death. Jamati).
When PPP leader Fauzia Wahab was told about the threatening message and her son’s arrogance and daring, Fauzia Wahab sought an apology. Subsequently, Ali Wahab also sought an apology through a text message.
According to Ansar Abbasi, different people send messages appreciating or criticising him for his work. These messages sometimes even contain abuses but he had never cared. “However, messages from this number especially the one containing the words “fired or death” disturbed me very much and I filed a complaint with the FIA Cyber Investigations Wing and also started my own probe.”
Ansar said: “I was shocked to learn when the authorities confirmed to me that it was none other than the son of the ruling PPP’s information secretary.” He hopes the PPP government will strictly follow the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance, 2009.
Ansar said some of the messages sent by Ali Wahab to him were highly contemptuous against top judges, words that could not even be written in a news story. According to documents available with The News, Ansar filed a complaint with Shahid Nadim Baloch, who is head of the Cyber Crimes Investigation Wing in the FIA’s headquarters.
Shahid Nadim, when approached by The News, said he had received Ansar’s complaint and after coming to know that this was a Karachi number has referred the complaint to FIA’s Karachi office where FIA Director Cyber Crimes Wing, Mir Zubair and Additional Director Ahsanullah will investigate the case under the law.
When asked if the crime is established what could be the punishment under the law, he said under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance, 2009 any person against whom allegations are established could be imprisoned for a maximum of seven years. He said the FIA is still investigating the matter.
However, Ali Wahab, while talking to The News, said there was no need for any investigation to determine the ownership of his cell number as among the many messages he had sent to Ansar, in three different messages he had even mentioned his full name.
However, Ansar refuted Ali’s statement, saying he has kept one month’s record of all messages sent by Ali and he (Ali) never wrote his name or identified himself. Ali in his first call was of the view he stood by his messages sent to Ansar but he also said according to his view there was no threat in his messages and that it were his feelings. His mother Fauzia talked to this correspondent calmly and on knowing about harassment messages sought an apology.
However, it is worth mentioning that the apology was sought by Fauzia Wahab when details and evidence of her son’s involvement in such an episode were revealed.
Later, Ali Wahab wrote a message to Ansar Abbasi which, besides containing an apology as was promised by his mother, also contained some pieces of advice for Ansar Abbasi. The exact words of this message are: “Dear, Mr Ansar Abbasi, I can’t believe my utterances have made you investigate who I was. Just like yourself I am also a patriotic Pakistani; however, having different views to yours. From the outset, I offer my sincere apologies if you have felt harassed. Had my person been a harasser, my personal phone would never have been used. I have at least on three occasions told you my name. Do note that your pen has power which shouldn’t portray bias and create ill-will against the leadership of our great nation. My world is Pakistan and I will always give my utmost to safeguard this world. Life is short and we have to have a meaningful vision in life. If not then we stand to be part of a vision of unwanted elements. My best wishes for a fruitful and healthy life for you. Ali Wahab