Anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan arrested by FIA

Host and YouTuber Imran Riaz Khan who is a staunch supporter of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf (PTI) was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from the Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore. He will be presented in the court today. He is charged for ‘hate speech’ and ‘violence-inducing statements.’

Imran Riaz’s lawyer Mian Ali Ashfaq however said that the ‘illegal arrest’ of his client will be challenged in the court. The FIR registered against the anchor states that he was “found involved in publicly making a hate speech at a conference which falls under the jurisdiction of FIA cybercrime cell”.

The videos shared by Imran Riaz questioned the former COAS Gen Bajwa’s stance on army staying apolitical and the FIR mentions that such statements made by Imran Riaz may cause ‘alarm or fear in the public’ which may lead to people “commit an offence against the state or against the public tranquility”.

FIA sources have said that Imran Riaz has now been transferred to the agency’s cybercrime wing where he is being interrogated for ‘hate speech’

The news of Imran Riaz’s arrest was shared on Twitter by his team.

PTI leader Asad Umer strongly condemned the arrest of the journalist and shared his opinion via his Twitter.

Alongside the arrest of Imran Riaz, Sheikh Rasheed was also arrested in Islamabad after a complain was filed against him for plotting the assassination of the PPP co chairman and former President Asif Ali Zardari.

PTI chairman Imran Khan took to Twitter and strongly opposed the arrest of the former PTI member calling the current government ‘vindictive and biased’