Imran Khan under fire: Pakistan's FIA accuses ex-PM of fuelling mutiny against govt via social media

Sept. 14, 2024, 9:32 a.m.

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Pakistan’s top investigating agency has registered a case against jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan for allegedly inciting government officials to mutiny through his social media posts, according to a media report.

A team from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), composed of investigators and technical experts, visited the Adiala Jail to question Khan, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party. Their investigation focuses on a controversial post on his official X account.

“A case has been filed against Mr. Khan by the FIA for inciting government officials to rebel,” the Dawn newspaper reported, citing sources.

Advertisement The FIA agents returned empty-handed after Khan, 71, insisted on the presence of his lawyers before participating in the interrogation.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar in a statement earlier said the FIA would probe into the handling of the PTI founder’s social media accounts, which were being used allegedly to “create chaos and anarchy” in the country, and “undermining the national security".

Tarar stated that they would determine who was responsible for managing his social media accounts, and whether such posts were made at his direction or under instructions from someone else.

He claimed that a failed attempt was made to plot against the current chief justice and heads of other institutions. These posts, he said, were intended to stir public opinion against two significant state institutions.

“His acts were highly condemnable,” Tarar said.

Khan, who has been held at the Adiala Jail since last year, has regularly criticized the powerful establishment through extended posts on X.

Editor’s Picks 1 How does Imran Khan continue to influence Pakistan from behind bars? 2 Imran Khan's PTI renews its confrontation with Pakistan Army On Friday, Khan posted a long note on his X account, which said, “This is not the first time in the history of this country that one individual (referring to Army Chief Gen Asim Munir) has put the entire country at stake to protect his hold on power. (General) Yahya Khan also betrayed the Awami League and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to stay in power."

Advertisement He recalled the events from 1971 when 90,000 soldiers were taken as prisoners during Bangladesh’s Liberation War and how former president Zulfikar Ali Bhutto himself admitted to the loss of 50,000 innocent lives.

"This pattern repeats itself. Once again, an individual has seized control and is dismantling the system to maintain and strengthen their power," he stated. He added that a small, powerful elite dominates all resources, authority, and influence within the nation.

He asserted that the Supreme Court remains the only institution somewhat insulated from their influence, and now it too is under attack.