PTI's Azam Swati arrested for ‘controversial’ tweet against COAS

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senator Azam Swati was taken into custody early Thursday morning by the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) cybercrime unit for allegedly making ‘controversial tweets’ against state institutions, including the army chief.

A First Information Report, a copy of which is available with the Express Tribune, was registered against Swati by the FIA for “using false information” through his official Twitter handle, “which is likely to incite any Officer, Soldier, Sailor, or Airman in the Army, Navy or Air Force to mutiny”.

In a series of tweets last night, following the acquittal of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz in the high-profile money laundering case, the PTI leader implicated the army for abetting acquittals of the Sharif family.

“I wish Imran khan allow[s] me, I would come straight to Gate 4 in Rawalpindi to challenge those who have ruined this country,” he said.

“Mr Bajwa congratulations to you and few with you. Your plan is really working and all criminals are getting free at cost of this country,” he added. 

The case was registered under Section 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and section 109 of the offense of aiding and abetting.

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According to Azam’s son, Usman Swati, the senator was arrested at around 3am from his residence in the federal capital. He alleged that the FIA officials ransacked the house, took CCTV footage with them, and also forced his four-year-old daughter to stand outside the house.

Court grants physical remand

Following his arrest, Azam was produced before a district and sessions court in Islamabad as the FIA requested a seven-day physical remand of the senator.

The court, however, granted a two-day physical remand and ordered Azam to immediately be taken to the hospital for a medical checkup.