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Express Tribune
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
JIT to quiz PTI leaders over smear campaign today
Listen to article Five PTI leaders are supposed to appear today (Monday) before a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing a smear campaign launched on social media against state institutions. The JIT has directed Hammad Azhar, Aliya Hamza, Sheikh Waqas Akram, Muhammad Kamran and Farrukh Habib to appear in person at 11am before it. The JIT will convene its meeting at the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) Cybercrime Wing Headquarters in Islamabad. According to the notices issued by JIT member and Inquiry officer Mobin Zafar on April 9, there is sufficient material available with the JIT to assume that the PTI leaders are involved or closely acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the matter at hand. "In case of non-appearance, it will be assumed that you have nothing to present or state in your defense. Non-compliance to the matter is punishable under law. Therefore, your willful non-obedience of the order will render you liable for criminal proceedings u/s 174 PPC, 1860," it added. The PML-N led federal government constituted the JIT in terms of Section 30 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016 under the convenership of the FIA Cyber Crime Wing additional director general. The JIT is investigating alleged misuse of social media "for highly intimidating contents/ tweets to create fear/ unrest among the general public and discord against state institutions".
Express Tribune
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
JIT to issue arrest warrants for 20 PTI leaders
In a major development in the ongoing investigation into anti-state propaganda on social media, the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has decided to issue arrest warrants for 20 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, sources confirmed on Wednesday. According to sources, the decision was made after the PTI leaders failed to cooperate with the investigation, despite receiving multiple summons from the JIT. Notices were reportedly served at the residences of all individuals concerned. Among those facing arrest are senior PTI figures including Waqas Akram, Hammad Azhar, Zulfi Bukhari, Aon Abbas, Mian Aslam, Firdous Shamim Naqvi, Taimur Saleem, and Jibran Ilyas. Warrants are also expected to be issued for Khalid Khurshid, Shahbaz Gill, Azhar Mashwani and several others. State broadcaster Radio Pakistan earlier reported that the JIT possesses solid evidence against these individuals. The JIT, which is headed by the inspector general of Islamabad, was formed under Section 30 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 to probe anti-state activities linked to social media content. Several prominent PTI figures — including party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz, and Imran Khan's sister Aleema Khan — have already appeared before the JIT during the course of the investigation. According to sources, those summoned were questioned extensively about their social media handlers and controversial posts related to the military and state institutions. They were reportedly shown specific content and asked to clarify its origin and purpose. In addition to questions on social media activity, the probe has also delved into the party's financial matters. Barrister Gohar and others were also questioned about party's financing. PTI has submitted complete records related to party funds to the JIT. The JIT had previously warned of strict action against those who failed to appear before it.
Express Tribune
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Judicial Complex Attack: Murad Saeed, two other PTI leaders declared absconders
Listen to article An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad has declared Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Murad Saeed, Hammad Azhar, and Farrukh Habib as absconders in cases related to the Judicial Complex attack due to their repeated absence from numerous court hearings. ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra presided over the hearing against the PTI leaders. The court also issued arrest warrants for Wasiq Qayyum Abbasi, Raja Basharat, and several other absentees in the case. Following the attendance of the available accused, the court adjourned further hearings on both cases until April 7. The PTI leaders are facing two cases registered at Ramna Police Station related to the incident. The case stemmed from an incident that occurred during PTI Chairman Imran Khan's appearance at the Judicial Complex in Islamabad, where he sought bail in multiple cases. A large number of PTI supporters gathered at the site, removed security barriers, damaged the complex's entry gate, and disrupted court proceedings. Following the event, the Islamabad Police registered a terrorism case against those involved, invoking Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), along with Section 353 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), which pertains to obstructing a public servant in the discharge of duties. Authorities claimed the attack had been premeditated, with some political figures allegedly inciting the mob. Several individuals were arrested, with law enforcement recovering a Kalashnikov and other weapons from those detained. Raids were conducted across different provinces to apprehend additional suspects. Authorities stated that government property had been vandalized during the attack but credited police forces for successfully preventing the situation from escalating further at the Islamabad High Court.
