Kuntal.Org

In a significant development reflecting Pakistan’s growing intolerance towards digital dissent, law enforcement agencies have launched legal action against several prominent social media influencers and journalists allegedly affiliated with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The individuals, including well-known YouTubers and commentators such as Imran Riaz Khan, Sabir Shakir, Sadaqat Ali Abbasi (commonly referred to as Siddique Jan), and PTI spokesperson Shahbaz Gill, are accused of orchestrating a coordinated online campaign targeting the country’s military leadership.

Background and Context

The crackdown comes in the wake of heightened political tensions following PTI’s removal from power in April 2022 and subsequent events, including the arrest of party chairman Imran Khan and the violent protests on May 9, 2023. Over the past year, government authorities have increased scrutiny over online spaces, particularly those perceived to be spreading misinformation, inciting violence, or maligning state institutions — with the military often at the center of such narratives.

According to sources within the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the action against these individuals stems from their alleged involvement in spreading "hate-filled and defamatory content" against senior military officials. This content, disseminated via YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook, allegedly includes edited videos, fabricated stories, and inflammatory rhetoric aimed at undermining the Pakistan Army’s credibility and public image.

Details of Legal Action

The FIA's Cyber Crime Wing has registered multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) against the accused under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, which includes serious charges such as:

• Section 20: Offences against the dignity of a person

• Section 21D: Dissemination of fake or harmful information

• Section 24: Cyberstalking and use of malicious software

Authorities claim that a number of digital forensic investigations have revealed coordinated patterns of misinformation dissemination, suggesting a centralized narrative being pushed through PTI-affiliated accounts.

Among those named, Imran Riaz Khan has been a vocal critic of the military's involvement in political matters. His YouTube channel, which boasts millions of followers, frequently features political commentary perceived as favorable to PTI. Similarly, Sabir Shakir and Siddique Jan have previously faced state backlash for their open criticism of the establishment and judiciary.

Shahbaz Gill, a senior PTI figure and former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, was previously arrested in 2022 on sedition charges related to remarks made on a television channel, which were deemed to incite rebellion within the armed forces. His name appearing once again in this case signals a renewed effort by the state to curtail voices linked to what they describe as an "anti-state" narrative.

Government’s Justification

The government and its agencies defend their actions as necessary to preserve national security and protect the sanctity of state institutions. A senior interior ministry official was quoted saying, “Freedom of speech does not mean the freedom to slander or defame national institutions. No democracy allows its armed forces to be ridiculed in such a brazen manner.”

Additionally, officials maintain that these influencers are not ordinary journalists or content creators but are part of a broader strategy by PTI to influence public opinion, destabilize institutions, and intimidate political opponents through social media campaigns.

Free Speech Concerns and Political Implications

Critics, however, argue that the move is politically motivated and part of a broader campaign to stifle dissent. Media rights organizations like the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) have expressed concern over the increasing criminalization of speech under cybercrime laws. They fear that PECA, initially introduced to combat real cybercrimes such as hacking and harassment, is now being misused to silence political opposition and journalists.

In a joint statement, several civil rights groups called the FIA's actions “a direct attack on freedom of the press and political expression.”

Imran Riaz and others have denied the allegations and claimed they are being targeted solely for speaking the truth. “They want to scare us into silence, but we will not be silenced,” Riaz said in a recent online statement.

Conclusion

The ongoing crackdown against PTI-affiliated YouTubers underscores the growing clash between state institutions and digital media in Pakistan. With social platforms becoming key battlegrounds for public influence, the state’s regulatory and punitive measures are increasingly being seen as censorship tools rather than protective mechanisms.

As Pakistan grapples with political polarization and institutional mistrust, the line between responsible regulation and authoritarian suppression becomes ever more blurred. What remains to be seen is whether the judiciary will uphold these actions or push back in favor of constitutional rights to speech and expression. 

Reference: فوجی قیادت کیخلاف نفرت انگیز مہم ، پی ٹی آئی یوٹیوبرز عمران ریاض، صابر شاکر، صدیق جان اور شہباز گل کیخلاف کارروائی کا فیصلہ