PTI moves IHC against 'harassment' of its activists

Party maintains activists being harassed on 'current government's directives'

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday challenging the 'raids' and 'harassment' of the party’s social media activists.

Earlier, on April 10, the residence of the former social media focal person to ex-prime minister Imran Khan, Dr Arslan Khalid was raided by unidentified persons, the PTI said, hours after the premier was ousted from power through a no-confidence motion against him.

Today, PTI’s Ali Nawaz Awan filed a petition which made the interior secretary, IG Islamabad, IG Punjab, DG FIA and DG FIA Cyber ​​Wing as respondents.

“Homes of PTI social media activists are being raided illegally,” the petition prays. “They are being harassed. Various cases have been registered against the PTI social media activists,” it further states.

The party maintains in its petition that the freedom of expression was a fundamental right of every citizen, and cannot be ignored. It pleaded to prevent illegal harassment of party workers.

Read PTI to move high courts over ‘harassment’ of its activists

As per the application submitted by the PTI, the cases against its activists were being lodged on the "directives of the current government".

'Safely home'

Denouncing a second raid at his home, former focal person to ex-prime minister Imran Khan, Dr Arslan Khalid on Wednesday night confirmed his arrival back home.

“I am safe and back at home. Thanks for the support by everyone,” he tweeted, adding that, “Some friends tweeted about a second raid which is not true.”

Earlier, on April 10, the residence of 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.