Court orders FIA not to harass PTI social media activists
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 15 April 2022
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The Islamabad High Court has ruled against the FIA's harassment of PTI social media activists. This follows concerns raised regarding illegal detentions and raids on activists' residences.Summary
ISLAMABAD—The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the director-general of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to ensure that no officers subject social media activists to harassment, Geo News reported.
In a two-page order, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah said the PTI had contended that the FIA was illegally harassing its political workers and activists.
"The court has been informed that [Dr Arsalan Khalid's] residence was raided and he was kept in illegal detention," the IHC CJ said.
"The Director-General, Federal Investigation is directed to ensure that its officers do not violate the SOPs that had been submitted before the Court and that workers and activists of the petitioner party are not illegally harassed," the order read.
Reportedly, the FIA has arrested over a dozen suspects for alleged involvement in launching a social media campaign against the Pakistan Army and maligning security institutions following recent political developments.
The PTI had moved the court after several of the party's social media activists, including Dr. Arsalan Khan—former prime minister Imran Khan's focal person on digital media—were arrested or went missing.
KEY POINTS:
- IHC orders FIA to stop harassing PTI activists.
- Dr. Arsalan Khalid's case highlighted illegal detention.
- FIA has arrested suspects linked to anti-Army campaigns.
- PTI moved court following arrests and disappearances.
- Court emphasizes adherence to standard operating procedures.
