ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) has summoned key figures of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in connection with an inquiry into a controversial social media post from the party founder’s official X (Twitter) account.
The FIA has called for Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, and Spokesman Raoof Hassan to appear for questioning on Tuesday. The PTI leaders have been instructed to present themselves at the FIA by 11 am.
The summoning order from the FIA stated, “An inquiry has been initiated regarding misuse of verified X (Twitter) account of Mr. Imran Khan, Founder PTI, through which highly obnoxious and inciting content against state institutions is shared, likely to cause fear or alarm in public and may induce or provoke anyone to commit an offense against the state or state institution or public tranquility. Therefore, you are directed to appear in person before the undersigned to record your version/statement in your defense at FIA Cyber Crime Reporting Center.”
PTI founder Imran Khan has refused to join the FIA probe regarding the controversial social media posts from his official X account. The FIA team visited Adiala Jail late on Friday to question the PTI founder, but he declined to respond to their questions, stating he would only answer in the presence of his lawyers. The FIA team has reportedly obtained a written statement from Imran Khan.
PTI Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan clarified that the official X account of Imran Khan is managed from the United States by the party’s social media team. Hasan explained that Imran Khan, currently in jail, cannot upload content himself and that the party’s assembly members may have retweeted the controversial video in their personal capacities. An internal inquiry will be conducted within the party regarding the video.
The FIA Cybercrime Cell wrote to the authorities seeking access to Imran Khan for further investigation into the anti-state propaganda allegedly disseminated through his official social media account, particularly targeting the Pakistan Army. The video, posted on May 26, aimed to distort facts, incite rebellion among officers and soldiers, and create unrest within state institutions. The FIA noted that this video is a violation of the PICA Act 2016, necessitating further investigation.
The statement from the FIA emphasizes the serious nature of the allegations and the need for a thorough investigation to uphold public tranquility and state security.
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