Controversial tweets: PTI leader Azam Swati arrested by FIA

• Azam Swati was arrested by FIA's Cybercrime Wing.
• He is taken into custody over his controversial tweets.
• PTI condemns Swati's arrest.

ISLAMABAD: Senior PTI leader Senator Azam Khan Swati's two-day physical remand was approved by a district and sessions court following his arrest over his alleged "controversial" tweets.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) took Swati into custody from his home in Islamabad earlier, and presented him before senior civil judge Shabbir Bhatti's court in the federal capital.

The agency's cybercrime wing registered a case against Swati late Wednesday night over the "controversial" tweets.

Swati presented in court

The PTI leader, soon after his arrest was presented before senior civil judge Shabbir Bhatti's court in the federal capital.

PTI's lawyer Ali Bukhari represented Swati in court.

At the outset of the court proceeding, the FIA officials requested the court to grant a seven-day physical remand of Swati for investigation.

However, Swati's counsel claimed that the "worst" torture was inflicted upon the senator. They stressed that Swati has been arrested only on "political grounds".

Later, the court partially accepted the FIA's plea, granting a two-day physical remand of Swati.

Swati is the third senior leader of the Imran Khan-led PTI who has been arrested by the FIA after Saifullah Khan Nyazee and Hamid Zaman. However, Nyazee and Zaman are being probed for their alleged involvement in the prohibited funding to the party.

Swati declared medically fit

Later on, a four-member medial medical board at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in the federal capital declared the PTI leader as medically fit and healthy.

The medical board comprising Dr Tashfeen Imtiaz, Dr. Asfandyar Khan, Dr Liaquat Ali, and Dr Fazlul Aziz examined the PTI leader in compliance with the order of the judicial magistrate at the hospital.

In its report, the board declared the incarcerated PTI leader “physically and mentally fit”.

Stents were installed in three of his arteries, the medical board said, adding that he has been taking cardiac medicines.

PTI condemns arrest

Confirming the development, PTI Secretary General Asad Umar condemned the move and demanded that Swati be released immediately.

Smear campaign against state institutions

The PTI has often been accused by government functionaries of using social media against state institutions and running smear campaigns. 

In August, a report on negative propaganda against the army on social media following the Lasbela helicopter crash discovered 178 accounts linked to the party.

After an investigation, social media activists and their handlers were tracked down, according to sources. 

Over 2,350 posts were made through 580 accounts, and the campaign also included 18 Indian accounts. According to sources, cases will be filed against the accused under the applicable laws.

After an Army aviation helicopter went missing in Lasbela during a relief operation in flooded areas, a smear campaign was launched against the Pakistan Army, according to the report. 

PTI social media activists, on the other hand, have apologised for their actions, it added.