JI leader arrested under Peca in Mansehra

MANSEHRA: The police have arrested a local leader of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) after his video in which he allegedly instigated protesters against state institutions during a rally held on February 5 went viral on social media.

Shabbir Khan Swati was arrested under Sections 506, 505, and 153-A of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), Section 7(a) of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997, and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) lodged by city police, the video showed the JI leader addressing a rally held to mark Kashmir Day on February 5, in which he allegedly used derogatory language against state institutions.

“The accused also instigated rally participants against national institutions, and threatened the country’s existence. The entire incident was broadcast on social media,” the FIR further stated.

The regional Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Hazara has granted the police a three-day remand of the accused for further investigation.Meanwhile, the Jamaat-i-Islami on Friday took to streets against the arrest of Shabbir Khan Swati and demanded his release without any further delay.

“Our party’s history is evident in our claim that none other than our party is patriotic in the country and we don’t need to get the certificate from the government,” Abdul Razzaq Abbasi, the divisional president of JI in Hazara, told the rally. The rally, which was taken out at Abbottabad road, marched through it.