ISLAMABAD: The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad has issued formal notices to multiple leaders and members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), summoning them for an investigation led by a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.P.C).
The notices were dispatched as per official instructions and are related to an inquiry into an alleged malicious social media campaign aimed at inciting disorder in Pakistan.
According to the official notification, the Federal Government, under Notification No. 8/9/2024-FIA/Policy, has constituted a JIT under Section 30 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, to examine the involvement of individuals accused of spreading unrest through social media.
Summoned Individuals & Allegations
Among those summoned to appear before the JIT on March 18, 2025, at 12:00 PM at the Central Police Office, Police Line Headquarters, Islamabad, are:
Syed Firdous Shamim Naqvi (Former MPA)
Muhammad Khalid Khurshid Khan (Ex-Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan)
Mian Muhammad Aslam Iqbal (Senior PTI leader from Punjab)
Hammad Azhar (Ex-Federal Minister)
Aon Abbas (Senior PTI Member)
Muhammad Shahbaz Shabbir (PTI activist)
Waqas Akram, Taimoor Saleem Khan, Sibghat Ullah Virak, Azhar Mashwani, Muhammad Numan Afzal, Jibran Ilyas, Salman Raza, Zulfi Bukhari, Musa Virk, and Ali Malik
The notices state that “sufficient material is available with the JIT to assume that the summoned individuals are involved or closely acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case.” The JIT is expected to determine the objectives of the alleged campaign, identify accomplices, and initiate legal proceedings if necessary.
Legal Consequences of Non-Compliance
The summons clearly warn that failure to appear “will be assumed as an admission of guilt,” and those who willfully disobey the orders will be liable for criminal proceedings under Section 174 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), 1860.
This development comes amid an intensifying crackdown on political dissent, particularly on digital platforms, with authorities increasing scrutiny over online narratives perceived as threats to national stability.
