Table of Contents
A Rawalpindi court has ordered Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) social media activist Khaula Chaudhry to be sent to jail on judicial remand following her arrest in connection with alleged anti-state social media posts.
Court Rejects FIA Custody Request
Duty Judge Abdul Sattar presided over the hearing after the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) presented the accused before the court. FIA Assistant Director Zeeshan submitted the agency’s request for physical custody to conduct further investigation.
However, the court rejected the FIA’s plea for custodial interrogation and instead ordered that Chaudhry be remanded to jail under judicial custody.
Airport Arrest Before Umrah Trip
According to court proceedings, Khaula Chaudhry was apprehended by the FIA’s Cybercrime Wing late Saturday night at Islamabad Airport, where she was preparing to depart for Umrah with her husband. The arrest was conducted over allegations of posting anti-state content on social media platforms.
Defense Challenges Charges
Chaudhry’s legal team, comprising Mian Ali Ashfaq Chaudhry, Owais Younis, Barrister Fahad, and Sardar Qadeer, vigorously contested the FIA’s remand application, arguing that the charges were politically motivated and lacked evidentiary foundation.
The defense counsel maintained that the accusations against their client were unsubstantiated and appeared designed to suppress political dissent on digital platforms.
Growing Pattern of Social Media Arrests
The Cybercrime Wing claims to have traced two anti-state posts on social media accounts allegedly linked to Chaudhry. Investigators assert that the content violated laws pertaining to national integrity and public order.
This arrest represents the latest in a series of detentions targeting PTI-affiliated social media activists under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). Similar cases have resulted in the arrest of multiple PTI digital campaigners accused of spreading anti-state narratives online.
Next Court Appearance
The judge directed authorities to continue their investigation and submit a comprehensive progress report at the next scheduled hearing. Chaudhry will remain in judicial custody pending further proceedings in the case.
The incident has reignited debates surrounding freedom of expression on digital platforms and the application of cybercrime legislation in cases involving political content and criticism of state institutions.
