Crackdown launched against social media users maligning security institutions: sources

Web Desk

April 12, 2022

The handcuffs of inmates are seen during a play at a public theatre in Lima, June 20, 2012. — Reuters

Crackdown launched on directions from PM Shehbaz Sharif.
Fawad warns government against crackdown on political rivals.
Govenor Punjab asks Punjab CM to probe into the raid by the FIA.

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has started a crackdown against social media users involved in maligning security institutions, sources said Tuesday, with five being arrested in different cities.

Following directions from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the FIA launched a crackdown on people involved in the recent drive against security institutions on social media.

The drive against the security institutions began with the ouster of Imran Khan as the prime minister. The detentions were made in Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar, the sources said.

Meanwhile, PTI’s leader and former information minister Fawad Chaudhry warned the government against the crackdown on social media and political rivals.

He maintained that the political crisis is worsening in the country as 135 MNAs have tendered their resignations. “The Parliament has lost its importance and the only solution to avoid clash is new elections,” said Chaudhry.

More arrests on the cards

After the FIA’s crackdown, Punjab Governor Omer Sarfaraz Cheema telephoned Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and condemned the “harassment” of PTI’s social media team by the FIA.

He asked the Punjab CM to probe into the raid by the FIA and maintained that the government is using tactics to harass political rivals. Referring to the protests of PTI’s workers, he said people posed their trust in the leadership of Imran Khan by taking out rallies.

In Gujranwala, the FIA has prepared a list of 16 social media users and teams will be formed to arrest them, sources close to the matter said, adding that cases will be registered against them under the anti-terrorism act.