Inflammatory tweets : Cybercrime agency grills Imran in jail

RAWALPINDI: Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan refused to disclose who operates his social-media accounts during interrogation inside Adiala Jail, saying revealing their names would put lives of those individuals in danger.

On Tuesday, a three-member team of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), led by Additional Director Ayaz Khan, including Sub-Inspectors Muhammad Monib Zafar and Muhammad Waseem Khan, visited the Adiala Jail to question the PTI founder about his official ‘X’ handle. The investigation was initiated after three tweets were posted from Khan’s account, containing strong criticism of government figures and establishment.

According to sources, Imran Khan insisted he would only cooperate with the team if the questions were provided to him in writing.

When asked about his social-media platforms, Khan flatly refused to identify those operating them. He explained there was no designated messenger, adding, “Whenever someone meets me, they pass the message, which is then paraphrased and shared with the social media team.” The interrogation turned more confrontational when investigators asked if his accounts were run by foreign national Jibran Ilyas. Khan denied it. Investigators also referred to his sister Aleema Khan, saying she had told them she passed messages to Jibran Ilyas. Khan dismissed this: “Aleema has no role in politics.”

The NCCIA maintains that its team was carrying out the probe strictly under judicial directives and will again visit former prime minister in jail for further investigation. Later, the NCCIA team departed the facility without obtaining any desired information from him.

In his tweets, Imran Khan said that the leaked report of the Commonwealth on the February 8 elections has also opened the floodgates of electoral fraud, and how his party’s mandate was stolen.

In another tweet, he said he will not make any deal.

The PTI supremo advised his party members to remain united, and asked for a grand rally in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in which people from all over the country will participate.

He directed all MPAs, MNAs and Senators of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to sit together with the chief minister to urgently resolve the challenges of the province. He asked the allies under the leadership of Mahmood Khan Achakzai, should take a peace delegation to Afghanistan and seek solutions through dialogue.

Meanwhile, senior PTI leader and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser conveyed Imran Khan’s special message to Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb.

The ambassador visited Asad’s residence on his invitation along with a delegation for a luncheon. Among others, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, chairman of Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan; Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, vice chairman; Raoof Hasan, Atif Khan, MNA Sardar Latif Khosa, MNA Chaudhry Ijaz Ahmad, MNA Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry and Hussain Ahmad Yousafzai were present.

Asad, who is also secretary general of the Tehreek, warmly welcomed the distinguished guests and conveyed a special message from the PTI founding chairman to the ambassador. The meeting featured a constructive exchange of views on longstanding ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan and explored avenues for further strengthening bilateral relations.

The participants expressed concern over a decrease in the trade volume and frequent disruptions to trade routes between the two neighbouring countries. It was emphasised that uninterrupted trade and transit were essential, as the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people on both sides were directly dependent on these routes.

The Afghan ambassador reaffirmed his country’s firm commitment to strengthening a constructive and forward-looking relationship with Pakistan. He acknowledged that many of the challenges predated the re-establishment of the current government in 2021. He assured the host that Afghanistan remained ready to work closely with Pakistan in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation and that he would spare no effort in seeking timely and lasting solutions to these longstanding issues. It was noted that in line with the directive of Imran Khan, a high-level delegation led by Mahmood Khan Achakzai will soon undertake a visit to Afghanistan.