ISLAMABAD: Minister Attaullah Tarar, overseeing Information and Broadcasting, has indicated that the Government of Pakistan will assess potential legal action against PTI after the Federal Investigation Agency concludes its inquiry into the party’s social media activity, as per a private media report.
Mr. Tarar, speaking on a private TV channel on Sunday, emphasized, “The FIA inquiry holds significant weight. Should the need arise for legal action, we will proceed accordingly upon its completion.”
The FIA called upon PTI leaders Barrister Gohar, Omar Ayub, and Raoof Hasan regarding the alleged “misuse” of the incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan’s X account for spreading inflammatory content against state institutions.
On May 26, Imran Khan’s official account shared a video along 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 the one responsible for the country’s breakup, referring to alleged atrocities committed by the Pakistani military during the civil war.
The video also interspersed images of the current civilian and military leadership, alleging they stole the party’s mandate in the Feb 8, 2024 general elections.
Attaullah Tarar added that legal action against the former ruling party has not been discussed in cabinet, but said, “In my understanding, legal action can happen in cases like this. We will act according to the outcome of the inquiry.”
Asked whether the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016 had provisions against incitement to mutiny, the minister said, “I believe there are legal grounds [to prosecute the PTI]. Statements encouraging an attack on our country’s integrity and sovereignty should not be allowed.”
“There is a big difference between statements and actions,” Mr Tarar continued. “When Nawaz Sharif was removed from office, he made a comparison to 1971 only once […] it was a one-off.
“The PTI’s actions contribute to political instability […] their history of staging sit-ins […] advocating for the burning of Jinnah House or the desecration of our martyrs’ statues is not an isolated incident. It signifies the accumulation of years of detrimental rhetoric and messages. This represents a fully-fledged campaign.”
