1971 Tweet
ISLAMABAD: The PTI has contested notices sent by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to its leadership concerning a controversial tweet on the official account of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
These notices, addressed to PTI leaders Barrister Gohar, Secretary General Omar Ayub, and spokesperson Raoof Hasan, allege the “misuse” of Khan’s verified X account by sharing content deemed “highly obnoxious and inciting against state institutions.”
The FIA instructed these leaders to appear in person before Sub-Inspector Muhammad Monib Zafar at the FIA Cyber Crime Reporting Centre to record their statements, warning that failure to comply would result in legal action under Section 174 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which carries a potential one-month prison term for non-appearance.
The post in question, shared on May 26, included a montage with a quote attributed to Khan, urging the nation to “study the Hamoodur Rahman Commission report” to discern “who was the true traitor, General Yahya Khan or Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.”
The FIA contends that the post could incite public fear or provoke offenses against the state or public tranquility.
The PTI has defended the post, stating that it aimed to “encourage national dialogue” and address the country’s ongoing crisis.
The party’s petition seeks to annul the notices and prevent the FIA from harassing its leadership. The petition names the interior ministry, the FIA officer who filed the complaint, and the investigating officer as respondents.
Additionally, an FIA team previously visited Adiala Jail to question Imran Khan about the social media post. However, Khan refused to meet the investigators without his lawyer present.
In a separate development, a joint investigation team (JIT) from Lahore interrogated former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi at Adiala Jail regarding the May 9 violence cases against him.
The eight-member JIT, led by SP Usman and including Inspector Alam and ASI Ayub, questioned Qureshi for over two hours before returning to Lahore.
Meanwhile, Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Amir Farooq has requested a detailed report from the assistant attorney general (AAG) on all cases filed against Qureshi.
Qureshi’s daughter, Mehar Bano Qureshi, accompanied by her lawyer, Barrister Taimur Malik, informed the court that they were awaiting reports from various institutions, having already received one from the Islamabad police.
The court was informed that 17 cases were registered against Qureshi with the Islamabad police and 38 in Punjab, with no cases reported in Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The chief justice expressed surprise at the high number of cases, questioning the necessity of 38 cases, including 17 in Islamabad alone, and noted the need for further investigation into any additional cases from other institutions.
The court adjourned the hearing until next week, pending the AAG’s comprehensive report.
I am a dynamic professional, specializing in Peace and Conflict Studies, Conflict Management and Resolution, and International Relations. My expertise is particularly focused on South Asian Conflicts and the intricacies of the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific Politics. With my skills as a Content Writer, I serve as a bridge between academia and the public, translating complex global issues into accessible narratives. My passion for fostering understanding and cooperation on the national and international stage drives me to make meaningful contributions to peace and global discourse.
