Leaked WhatsApp conversations between Jibran Ilyas, a notable figure from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan have surfaced, revealing an alleged anti-state agenda being coordinated from abroad.
The messages, dated from December 2023 to May 2024, suggest Ilyas’s active role in spreading controversial and seditious content related to the May 9 tragedy. These communications highlight a concerted effort to promote provocative narratives and incite public sentiment against the state.
Evidence of Propaganda Efforts
Sources indicate that Ilyas directed Hasan to distribute various forms of propaganda, including photos, videos, and messages aimed at stirring public opinion. The leaked messages show that Ilyas provided Hasan with seditious content and hashtags to amplify the narrative around the May 9 incident, marking its first anniversary.
On May 1, 2024, Ilyas sent Hasan screenshots of TV channels discussing remarks by Justice Athar Minullah and Justice Qazi Faez Isa on the May 9 events, suggesting an attempt to manipulate public opinion. Ilyas also promoted social media trends like “Interference Hoti Hai” and “May 9 False Flag,” demonstrating a strategic effort to shape public discourse.
Financial Transactions and Propaganda Control
The messages also detail financial transactions related to social media propaganda. On May 14, Ilyas asked Hasan to release payments for social media personnel, citing their dissatisfaction due to delayed salaries. This request aligns with allegations of PTI systematically funding their propaganda machinery.
Ilyas instructed Hasan to keep the “False Flag” hashtag trending, referencing Wajahat Saeed Khan’s vlog to highlight the campaign’s impact. Ilyas praised the PTI social media team, noting their significant influence on public perception.
Analysts’ Observations
Political analysts have examined these messages, suggesting that Ilyas, operating from abroad, exerts considerable control over PTI’s social media activities. They speculate that external influences, potentially including connections to Indian and Zionist lobbies, might be fueling the anti-state narrative.
Additionally, the use of judicial comments for anti-state propaganda, as evidenced in the messages, raises concerns about the politicization of legal opinions. Analysts argue that these tactics reflect a broader effort to exploit political and judicial controversies for partisan advantage.
