Islamabad:
Pakistani authorities plan to investigate jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and at least three senior members of his party over a controversial tweet that attached a video made from his account about the 1971 separation of East Pakistan.
Imran Khan’s account, which is managed by his social media team while he is incarcerated, shared a video quoted him on X on May 26, saying, “Every Pakistani should study the Hamudur Rahman Commission report and know who is the real traitor – General Yahya Khan or Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.” The Hamudur Rahman Commission investigated the fall of East Pakistan and compiled a report that was never officially released.
In a video attached to the tweet, he referred to atrocities allegedly committed by Pakistani forces during the country’s civil war and claimed former military dictator Yahya Khan was responsible for the country’s division.
It also includes images of the current civilian and military leadership, who it claims disempowered the party in the general election.
The post sparked a fierce debate, with government ministers in particular accusing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf of trying to stoke hatred against the military by comparing Imran Khan with Sheikh Mujib.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has already issued a notice to Imran Khan in the matter and a team of FIA investigators visited Adiala Jail on Thursday to question him, but Khan refused to meet them, saying he would only respond in the presence of his lawyer.
According to sources, the party also summoned PTI leader Omar Ayub Khan, lawyers Gohar Ali Khan and Raoof Hasan for questioning on Tuesday.
The main charge is that the video was likely to incite public agitation against the state and its institutions and spread fear and anxiety among the population.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)