JIT to issue arrest warrants for 20 PTI leaders

ISLAMABAD:

In a major development in the ongoing investigation into anti-state propaganda on social media, the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has decided to issue arrest warrants for 20 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, sources confirmed on Wednesday.

According to sources, the decision was made after the PTI leaders failed to cooperate with the investigation, despite receiving multiple summons from the JIT. Notices were reportedly served at the residences of all individuals concerned.

Among those facing arrest are senior PTI figures including Waqas Akram, Hammad Azhar, Zulfi Bukhari, Aon Abbas, Mian Aslam, Firdous Shamim Naqvi, Taimur Saleem, and Jibran Ilyas. Warrants are also expected to be issued for Khalid Khurshid, Shahbaz Gill, Azhar Mashwani and several others. State broadcaster Radio Pakistan earlier reported that the JIT possesses solid evidence against these individuals.

The JIT, which is headed by the inspector general of Islamabad, was formed under Section 30 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 to probe anti-state activities linked to social media content.

Several prominent PTI figures — including party chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Senate Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz, and Imran Khan's sister Aleema Khan — have already appeared before the JIT during the course of the investigation.

According to sources, those summoned were questioned extensively about their social media handlers and controversial posts related to the military and state institutions. They were reportedly shown specific content and asked to clarify its origin and purpose.

In addition to questions on social media activity, the probe has also delved into the party's financial matters. Barrister Gohar and others were also questioned about party's financing. PTI has submitted complete records related to party funds to the JIT.

The JIT had previously warned of strict action against those who failed to appear before it.