- Agency says video aimed at inciting public against state and its institutions
- Omar Ayub Khan, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, and Raoof Hasan summoned on Tuesday at 11am
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Saturday issued notices to three more leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in connection with the uploading of a controversial video involving Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the official account of incarcerated party founder Imran Khan.
Khan has already been issued notice in this regard.
In a post on the social media platform X dated May 26, Imran Khan’s account, managed by his social media team due to his incarceration, shared a video with a quote attributed to him: “Every Pakistani should study the Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report and get to know who was the true traitor, General Yahya Khan or Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.”
The video argued that the former military dictator was responsible for the country’s breakup, referring to alleged atrocities committed by the Pakistani military during the civil war. It also included images of the current civilian and military leadership, alleging they stole the party’s mandate in the general elections.
The post generated intense backlash and controversy, particularly from government ranks, who termed it “alarming” and accused the PTI of “continuously fuelling the narrative of hatred and incitement” by comparing Imran to Sheikh Mujib.
Sources indicate that the FIA has summoned Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, and Raoof Hasan for inquiry on Tuesday at 11am.
The notices were issued as part of the investigation into the alleged illegal use of the PTI founder’s official X account. The FIA claims that the video aimed to incite public agitation against the state and its institutions, potentially spreading fear and unrest among the populace.
An FIA spokesperson stated, “The video posted from the official account of PTI founder sought to provoke the public against the state and its institutions, creating a risk of lawlessness and public disorder.”
The notices highlight concerns that such provocative content could encourage people to take the law into their own hands, posing a threat to public safety and order.
PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan had announced yesterday that the party’s core committee will convene a meeting to discuss the controversial tweet. Moving forward, he said no posts will be made from the founder’s account without his explicit approval.
The FIA Cyber Wing has already launched an investigation over the controversial tweet.
The FIA Cyber Crime Cell team had reached Adiala Jail after obtaining permission from the Judicial Magistrate in Islamabad to question the incarcerated PTI founder on Thursday. However, Imran Khan refused to answer the FIA team’s questions, insisting that he would only respond in the presence of his lawyers.
In an interview on Express News’s programme “Centre Stage” the same day, Ali Muhammad Khan stated, “The current situation bears no resemblance to the events of 1971, and PTI’s founder is not Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.” He added that PTI’s stance on the matter is “purely political”.
