Categories Courts

Petitioner Moves IHC to Ban Imran Khan’s Social Media Posts, Terming Them Illegal

ISLAMABAD – While invoking jurisdiction of the Islamabad High Court – a petitioner sought directives for action against continued dissemination of tweets from the official social media account of former Prime Minister and PTI Chairman, Imran Khan Niazi, who is currently imprisoned at Adiala Jail after conviction.

Barrister Zafarullah Khan has filed the plea on behalf of advocate Ghulam Murtaza Khan, who alleges that the tweets are illegal, unlawful, mischievous, malicious, and criminal, raising critical questions about prison security and the rule of law.

The petitioner has made heads of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the Superintendent of Central Jail Adiala, Imran Khan himself, and the current PTI Chairman, Gohar Ali Khan as respondents in the matter.

The petitioner lays out three plausible scenarios for the origin of the tweets: either Imran Khan is being unlawfully facilitated within the jail, his visitors are receiving instructions from him and posting the content, or his account is being operated by third parties outside the prison to “mislead the public and spread anti-State illegal propaganda.”

Citing the Prison Rules 1978, which prohibit prisoners from using mobile phones, internet, and social media, the petitioner contends that the continued posting of tweets from the @ImranKhanPTI handle is a clear violation. The content, it is submitted, is “derogatory, defamatory, and inciteful,” targeting public functionaries, constitutional office-holders, and the armed forces, thereby attempting to “malign State institutions and spread hatred amongst the public.”

The petitioner alleges while describing constitutional and statutory violations allegedly committed through these tweets. He claims the content breaches fundamental constitutional articles, including those pertaining to loyalty to the state (Article 5) and equality before the law (Articles 4 and 25). Furthermore, the petitioner asserts that the tweets constitute statutory offenses under the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), such as promoting enmity (Section 153-A) and public mischief (Section 505). It also invokes the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), alleging the content falls under offenses like cyber terrorism (Section 10) and hate speech (Section 11).Highlighting statutory duty of the PTA under the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, 1996, the petitioner urged the court to direct the Authority to block such content, stating that its ongoing dissemination is “prejudicial to the country’s security and integrity.”

The petitioner also urged the court to issue directives to the NCCIA and the PTA to investigate and identify those responsible for operating the social media account while asking the PTA to immediately block and remove the controversial content. He also sought directives for the Superintendent of Adiala Jail to ensure strict adherence to prison regulations besides directing Imran Khan to cease all alleged illegal activities. He also prayed to the court to direct Gohar Ali Khan and any other “aiders and abettors” to stop re-circulating the contentious tweets.

 

Author

Khudayar Mohla, Managing Partner Mohla & Mohla, Founder of the Law Today Pakistan,

Managing Partner at Mohla & Mohla - Advocates and Legal Consultants, Islamabad, Founder of The Law Today Pakistan (TLTP) Newswire Service. Former President Press Association of Supreme Court of Pakistan with over two decades of coverage of defining judicial moments - including the dissolution and restoration of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Asif Ali Zardari NAB cases, Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani contempt proceedings, Panama Papers case against Mian Nawaz Sharif, matters involving Imran Khan, and the high treason trial of former Army Chief and President Pervez Musharraf. He now practises law and teaches Jurisprudence, International Law, Civil and Criminal Law. Can be reached at: mohla@lawtoday.com.pk

More From Author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, CJP Yahya Afridi, women’s rights in Pakistan, judiciary commitment to women rights, gender responsive justice Pakistan, International Women’s Day Pakistan judiciary, Supreme Court of Pakistan women rights, access to justice for women Pakistan, gender sensitive judiciary Pakistan, National Judicial Policy Making Committee NJPMC, NJPMC gender responsive justice agenda, judicial reforms Pakistan 2026–27, women facilitation centers courts Pakistan, legal aid for women Pakistan, women legal advisory helpline Pakistan, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan reforms, family law reforms Pakistan, mediation and family support services courts Pakistan, gender fair language in justice system, legal awareness for women Pakistan, rural women legal rights Pakistan, women empowerment through justice system, Pakistan judiciary reforms for women, rule of law and women protection Pakistan, Islamabad Supreme Court, Khudayar Mohla, justice for women justice for Pakistan

Justice for Women is Justice for Pakistan, says CJP Afridi

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi has reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to protecting…

Lahore High Court, Justice Jawad Hassan, Christian Divorce Act 1869, Pakistan legal news, Shahroz Masih case, minority rights Pakistan, judicial separation Christian law, dissolution of marriage grounds, Section 22 desertion, Section 11 adultery co-respondent, Article 199 writ petition, Article 10-A fair trial, Article 20 religious freedom, Article 4 due process, Mianwali court verdict, substantial justice vs technicalities, irretrievable breakdown of marriage, Punjab Judicial Academy workshops, district judiciary sensitization, matrimonial relief for Christians, evidentiary rigor in divorce cases, legal journalism Pakistan., Khudayar Mohla

LHC Quashes Lower Court Orders on Christian Divorce, Remands the Matter for Re-Adjudication

RAWALPINDI: Justice Jawad Hassan of the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench, sets aside concurrent findings…

Khudayar Mohla,Supreme Court of Pakistan, witness box seating, witness dignity Pakistan courts, Article 14 Constitution Pakistan dignity of man, fair trial Article 10A Pakistan, witness protection laws Pakistan, courtroom reforms Pakistan judiciary, Qanun e Shahadat witness examination, Supreme Court directives judiciary Pakistan, witness rights Pakistan courts

SC Directs Courts Nationwide to Provide Seating for Witnesses During Testimony

ISLAMABAD: Emphasizing that justice must be administered with humanity and respect for individual dignity, the…