Ex-PM Khan’s party moves court against ‘harassment’ of social media activists

ISLAMABAD: Ex-prime minister Imran Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday challenging what it called “illegal raids” and “harassment” of the party’s social media activists by state authorities. 
The petition was filed by PTI Islamabad president Ali Nawaz Awan, who said social media activists belonging to the PTI, including former social media focal person for Khan, Dr Arslan Khalid, were being 'harassed.' 
The FIA counterterrorism wing sprang into action this week after a “vilification drive” against the army, particularly the army chief, was launched on social networking websites following Khan’s ouster on April 10 in a no-confidence vote spearheaded by a joint opposition in the National Assembly.
Khan has repeatedly said the campaign to oust him was a "foreign conspiracy" orchestrated by the US. Both Khan and his supporters have expressed disappointment that the military and army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa did not support him against the alleged foreign plot and block his ouster. 
In the wake of Khan's removal from office, anti-army and judiciary hashtags have remained top trends on social media platforms. 
“To immediately stop the unlawful and illegal raids and harassment of the Petitioner’s party workers ... in the interest of justice, equity and fair play,” the PTI petitioner requested to the court.
“To act strictly within the four corners of Constitution and law and to refrain from violating and disrespecting the privacy, honour of the families and house-holds of the political workers and preserve the sanctity thereof,” the petition read.
On Tuesday, the Pakistan army also commented on the online hate campaign after a meeting of formation commanders: “The forum took note of the recent propaganda campaign by some quarters to malign Pakistan Army and create division between the institution and society.”