Islamabad (National Times) Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said on Sunday that once the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) completes its inquiry into the PTI\u2019s social media activity, the government will then decide whether or not to take legal action against the party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The FIA summoned PTI leaders Barrister Gohar and Omar Ayub and party spokesperson Raoof Hasan regarding the \u201cmisuse\u201d of incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan\u2019s X account for disseminating incendiary content against state institutions, it emerged on Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On May 26, Imran\u2019s official account shared a video along with a quote attributed to him: \u201cEvery Pakistani should study the Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report and get to know who was the true traitor, General Yahya Khan or Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The video argued that the former military dictator was the one responsible for the country\u2019s breakup, referring to alleged atrocities committed by the Pakistani military during the civil war. The video also interspe\u00adrsed images of the current civilian and military leadership, alleging they stole the party\u2019s mandate in the general elections.
Speaking on Geo News programme Naya Pakistan with Shahzad Iqbal, Tarar said, \u201cThe FIA inquiry is a serious one. If we need to pursue legal action then we will do it once it is complete.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tarar added that legal action against the PTI has not been discussed in cabinet, but said, \u201cIn my understanding, legal action can happen in cases like this. We will act according to the outcome of the inquiry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asked whether the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016 had provisions against incitement to mutiny, Tarar said, \u201cI believe there are legal grounds [to prosecute the PTI]. Statements encouraging an attack on our country\u2019s integrity and sovereignty should not be allowed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is a big difference between statements and actions,\u201d Tarar continued. \u201cWhen Nawaz Sharif was removed from office, he made a comparison to 1971 only once [\u2026] it was a one-off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cImran Khan\u2019s followers have created this narrative of Khan Nahi tou Pakistan Nahi (No Pakistan without Imran Khan) after a pattern of statements and actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe PTI creates political instability [\u2026] they have staged sit-ins [\u2026] messages to burn Jinnah House or the statues of our martyrs are not a one-off thing. This is the culimination of years of harmful statements and messages. This is a full-blown campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Asked whether the federal government would entertain former president Arif Alvi\u2019s offer to negotiate a truce, the information minister accused the PTI of \u201csaying one thing then doing another\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRaoof (Hassan) disowned the PTI\u2019s social media team, but Imran praised them,\u201d Tarar said. \u201cThey say one thing and do another. They have not made up their minds about negotiation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe should not sit down and talk with those who did what they did on May 9. Let them fight their battles in court.\u201d the minister reiterated, adding that the government \u201ccannot\u201d come to the table with the PTI.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Islamabad (National Times) Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said on Sunday that once the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) completes its inquiry into the PTI\u2019s social media activity, the government will then decide whether or not to take legal action against the party. The FIA summoned PTI leaders Barrister Gohar and Omar Ayub and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":83019,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-83018","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-national","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n