ISLAMABAD—Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has launched action against more than 150 individuals, including journalists, vloggers, and anchorperson Harmeet Singh, for allegedly promoting a false narrative against state institutions, particularly security agencies, following the November 26 crackdown on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters in Islamabad, according to local media reports.
The FIA’s Cybercrime Wing has reportedly arrested over 20 social media activists across the country for controversial posts alleging deaths during the crackdown. PTI, led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, claimed that 12 of its supporters were killed by law enforcement agencies during protests at D-Chowk, an allegation the government has strongly denied.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently announced the formation of a joint task force to identify and act against those spreading what officials have labeled “fake news” regarding the events of November 26.
“The FIA has registered cases against dozens of suspects, including journalists and vloggers, for maligning security agencies,” an FIA official told Dawn on Friday. Among those charged is Harmeet Singh, a Sikh journalist, who is accused of spreading false narratives about the crackdown.
Singh and other suspects have been booked under Sections 9, 10, 11, and 24 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). According to the First Information Report (FIR), Singh allegedly incited violence against state institutions through social media posts between November 24 and 27.
The arrests are part of a broader crackdown targeting individuals associated with PTI. The FIA has detained over 20 suspects, most of whom are affiliated with the party, for allegedly inciting public unrest on social media.
The government has denied claims that law enforcement agencies used lethal force on PTI supporters and has vowed strict measures against those spreading misinformation.
However, Amnesty International has called for a transparent investigation into the state’s handling of the protests, urging accountability for the reported “deadly crackdown” on PTI supporters. The organization has emphasized the need for clarity and justice surrounding the events at D-Chowk, where party members had gathered to demand the release of Imran Khan.
