ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has scheduled a hearing on January 21 to consider a petition seeking the closure of Imran Khan’s Twitter account.
The court has instructed the National Cyber Crime Control Agency (NCCCA), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Imran Khan, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-
Insaf (PTI) to submit their responses ahead of the hearing.
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, presiding over the Islamabad High Court, issued a formal order following an earlier hearing on a petition filed by citizen Gulam Murtaza. The petition claims that posts from Imran Khan’s account while he is in detention are unlawful and requests their removal.
The petitioner argues that posts generated from an official account during the imprisonment of a convicted individual are illegal and malicious in nature. The court has been urged to direct the NCCCA and PTA to conduct investigations to determine who is managing the account from within or outside the prison.
Additionally, the petition seeks the blocking of these alleged illegal posts and requests social media platforms to remove them.
In its response, the Superintendent of Adiala Jail refuted claims that Imran Khan’s Twitter account was operated from inside the jail. The official stated that the account is managed from outside the prison premises.
The jail authorities clarified that Imran Khan does not have access to mobile devices or the internet while in detention, as such facilities are strictly prohibited under jail regulations and court directives. The jail uses signal jammers to prevent mobile signals inside and in the surrounding areas.
Furthermore, the Superintendent noted that Jail Rule 265 restricts inmates like Imran Khan from engaging in political discussions. During court visits, family members and legal representatives are allowed to meet with the prisoner, but some visitors breach rules by engaging in political debates. Past orders have contributed to societal tensions. Imran Khan remains under rigorous surveillance, with regular searches conducted on him and the jail staff.
