PTI, JI in fierce social media battle after Naeem questions Imran's silence on Israel

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s two most influential parties on social media — Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) — are at each other’s throats in a fierce online battle after JI chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman criticised jailed Imran Khan for his silence on Israel’s Gaza genocide.

The spat began when Hafiz Naeem was recently questioned that why Imran Khan, despite using social media regularly from Adiala Jail, had not spoken out against Israel. Naeem’s remarks triggered a wave of reaction from PTI’s digital platforms, which accused the JI leader of hypocrisy and acting at the behest of the establishment.

The dispute quickly escalated into tit-for-tat trending hashtags on social media.

It became so serious that initially the PTI and later the JI issued formal statements on the social media. Both sides also activated fully their social media teams to support their respective trends.

Responding to Hafiz Naeem’s comments, PTI issued a strongly worded statement, dismissing his criticism as “absurd,” “malicious,” and “a desperate attempt to please the establishment.”

“Only lament can be expressed over the intellect of remote-control politicians,” PTI’s central media department said. “Hafiz Naeem is commenting on the faith, honour, and commitment to Palestine of a jailed popular leader. This is the height of political malice and intellectual slavery.”

PTI reminded JI that just months ago, Hafiz Naeem had sought a meeting with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan regarding a pro-Palestine march, which the PTI had supported “unconditionally.

“Imran Khan is the only Pakistani leader who has consistently taken a clear and courageous stance against Israel and its local puppet rulers,” the statement added. “Our statements today reflect the same principled position.”

PTI also accused JI of selective activism, questioning why Hafiz Naeem had not highlighted the plight of former JI senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, who was arrested by Israel during a Gaza aid flotilla mission, in his recent speech.

“Did you not receive ‘instructions’ to speak about Senator Mushtaq Ahmad?” PTI asked. “Why is your tongue silent for him, while it moves against Imran Khan?”

Jamaat-e-Islami swiftly hit back, accusing PTI of twisting Hafiz Naeem’s remarks and misleading its supporters.

“Anyone who listens to the full 20-minute speech will understand that PTI’s claims are false,” JI said in a statement. “PTI leadership is trying to hide the facts from its workers and supporters.”

JI contrasted itself with mainstream parties, saying it speaks “based on facts, not animosity.” It pointed out that while protests against Israel were taking place around the world, Pakistan’s major political parties- PTI, PML-N, and PPP- had not organized any significant demonstrations or made Gaza a political priority.

Hafiz Naeem, JI noted, has repeatedly called Imran Khan a political prisoner and demanded democratic freedoms — even sacrificing his own assembly seat to protest election rigging. However, JI argued, Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe, which has seen over 67,000 Palestinians killed, was “not an issue to be politicized.”

The party also questioned why Imran Khan had uploaded congratulatory messages to US President Donald Trump on social media, but remained silent on Israel’s atrocities.

Moreover, JI revisited political grievances, recalling how the disappearance of 32 PTI representatives during Karachi’s mayoral election paved the way for a PPP mayor, a move Hafiz Naeem believes could have been prevented.

On the issue of former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, JI insisted that Hafiz Naeem had repeatedly raised his detention “at the highest levels” and in public forums and accused PTI of “lying” about it.

The party reiterated its demand for Imran Khan’s release but challenged PTI, PML-N, and PPP to explain why they do not organize anti-Israel protests or openly support Hamas. It also rejected the “two-state solution” narrative, accusing mainstream parties of implicitly recognising Israel.

Instead of posting messages against Hafiz Naeem, PTI should post messages against Donald Trump, “Israel’s chief patron,” JI’s statement concluded.