ISLAMABAD: The PTI social media team is under scrutiny as the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), led by the Inspector General of Police, Islamabad, has intensified its probe into alleged online propaganda. The investigation targets individuals accused of spreading anti-Pakistan content and false allegations on social media. In this context, the JIT has summoned 10 members of the PTI’s social media wing for questioning.
According to sources, the federal government formed the JIT under Section 30 of the Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. The team’s mandate is to identify those responsible and initiate legal action based on the evidence gathered. The PTI social media team members have been directed to appear before the JIT on March 7, 2025, at 12 midnight to clarify their stance on the accusations.
The list of those summoned includes senior PTI leader Zulfi Bukhari along with Asif Rasheed, Muhammad Arshad, Sibghatullah Warrak, Azhar Mashwani, Muhammad Noman Afzal, Jibran Ilyas, Syed Salman Raza Zaidi, Musa Warrak, and Ali Hasnain Malik. The notices explicitly instruct the individuals to respond to the allegations.
Reports suggest that the JIT has obtained substantial evidence linking the accused to the alleged activities. The investigation is seen as part of a broader crackdown on social media misuse aimed at countering disinformation and maintaining order in the digital space. The PTI social media team is expected to present its defense against the charges during the scheduled hearing.