Home of ex-PM’s digital media guru raided

The residence of former prime minister Imran Khan’s focal person on digital media Arslan Khalid by unidentified persons, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said on Sunday, hours after the party was ousted from power through a no-confidence motion against the prime minister.

The PTI took to their official Twitter handle to announce the “extremely disturbing news”, claiming that Khalid’s home was raided and that his family’s mobile phones were taken away. It maintained that Khalid had “never abused anyone on social media and never attacked any institutions”.

“Extremely Disturbing News: Ex Focal person on PM @ImranKhanPTI on Digital, Dr. @arslankhalid_m's home has been raided & they have taken all phones from his family! He has never abused anyone on social media & never attacked any institutions,” the party said on Twitter.

The party urged the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to look into the matter. Several former federal ministers condemned the raid in their statements and tweets. Asad Umar said that “patriotic youth” like Khalid were an “asset” for the nation.

“Wow!Deep shadows cast over @arslankhalid_m's house as it got raided & his family's phones taken away. Not surprising bec "deep-seated" intolerance for criticism leads to irrational rage. But criticism on social media often spontaneous unlike coups! #WeStandWithDrArsalanKhalid,” tweeted Shireen Mazari.

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Former education minister Shafqat Mahmood said he was “distressed to learn that Dr Arsalan Khalid’s home was raided and his family harassed”.

Media reports, quoted Azhar Mashwani, former focal person for digital media in Punjab, as saying that the alleged raid took place in the Wapda Town of Lahore in the wee hours of Sunday. Mashwani said that Khalid had been receiving threats for the past four weeks.

“Dr Arslan’s home attacked by 11 men during Sehri time. All phones and laptops taken away. [They] threatened family members, including 80 years old mother. He was continuously receiving threats in the past four weeks from the people who didn’t like the online feedback coming from masses,” he added.