Hearing Set for November 4
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has scheduled a hearing for November 4 to consider a petition calling for the suspension of the X account (formerly Twitter) belonging to Imran Khan, the founder and former chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
According to the court’s cause list issued by the Registrar Office, the case will be heard by Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir. The court has also issued notices to Imran Khan, the National Cyber Crime Agency, the Superintendent of Jail, and other relevant parties, seeking their formal responses.
Petition Filed Against Imran Khan’s Social Media Activity
The petition was submitted by a citizen, Ghulam Murtaza, through his lawyer, Barrister Zafarullah. In his plea, Murtaza requested that the court remove allegedly malicious posts made from Imran Khan’s X account and prevent further dissemination of such content.
The petitioner argued that since Imran Khan is currently incarcerated, the posts being shared from his account are unlawful and intended to mislead the public. He further urged the court to order the suspension of Khan’s X account to curb the spread of what he described as false and politically motivated material.
Background: Debate Over Imprisoned Leaders’ Online Presence
Imran Khan has been in jail since 2023 following a series of corruption and political cases. Despite his imprisonment, his X account remains active, with posts continuing to appear under his name. PTI officials have previously stated that Khan’s media team manages his social media activity on his behalf.
This situation has sparked debate in Pakistan over the management of digital platforms by political figures under detention. Supporters argue that maintaining online communication allows leaders to share messages with the public, while critics claim it can be used to spread misinformation or incite unrest.
Legal and Political Implications
The IHC’s decision could have significant implications for digital freedom and political communication in Pakistan. It may also set a precedent for how the courts handle social media accounts belonging to imprisoned public figures.
The upcoming hearing will determine whether the court considers such posts a violation of the law or an exercise of political expression — a question that continues to divide Pakistan’s legal and political community.
