ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has fixed January 21, 2026 for thehearing of a petition seeking the suspension or closure of PakistanTehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan’s official X account formerly known asTwitter. Filed by citizen Ghulam Murtaza Khan the plea alleges thatprovocative and unlawful messages continue to emanate from the accountdespite the former prime minister’s incarceration in Adiala Jail raisingserious questions about prison regulations social media governance andfreedom of expression in Pakistan’s polarized political landscape. Thisdevelopment comes after multiple adjournments and non-submission ofresponses highlighting the contentious nature of digital communication inhigh-profile cases.
The petition originally submitted in September 2025 through BarristerZafarullah Khan Advocate contends that posts from Imran Khan’s account areinflammatory malicious and capable of inciting public unrest whileviolating jail rules that prohibit prisoners from operating social media.The petitioner has urged the court to direct the National Cyber CrimeInvestigation Agency and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority toinvestigate the operators of the account and to block further disseminationof such content. Legal observers note that this case underscores thebroader challenge of regulating online speech in a context where politicalleaders maintain influence even from behind bars.
Court records indicate that despite repeated directives Imran Khan’s sidehas not submitted a formal reply to the petition. During the previoushearing his counsel Salman Akram Raja sought adjournment citing commitmentsrelated to the Pakistan Bar Council elections which the court granted. Thisdelay has prolonged the proceedings allowing the matter to carry into thenew year. The registrar’s office has now listed the case before JusticeArbab Muhammad Tahir who is expected to scrutinize both proceduralcompliance and substantive claims regarding the alleged misuse of theplatform.
Reports from credible sources confirm that the Adiala Jail superintendenthas repeatedly denied any operation of the X account from within the prisonpremises. In a submission to the court the administration clarified thatImran Khan has no access to internet-enabled devices and that allactivities on the account are managed externally. This assertion hasshifted focus toward identifying external handlers and assessing whethersuch operations breach jail protocols or constitute unauthorizedcommunication by a convicted individual.
The controversy surrounding Imran Khan’s X account dates back to his arrestand subsequent imprisonment in multiple cases including those related tocorruption and incitement. Posts attributed to him have frequentlycriticized government policies judicial decisions and institutional rolesoften rallying PTI supporters. Critics argue these messages undermine lawand order while supporters view them as legitimate political expressionprotected under constitutional rights. The petition reflects growingconcerns over the intersection of incarceration digital rights andpotential incitement in Pakistan’s volatile political environment.
Legal experts anticipate that the January 21 hearing will examineconstitutional implications including Article 19 which guarantees freedomof speech subject to reasonable restrictions. The court may also considerprecedents involving social media bans and prisoner communications. WithImran Khan remaining a central figure in opposition politics the outcomecould influence future cases involving high-profile detainees and theironline presence affecting PTI’s digital outreach strategy.
The case has drawn attention amid broader restrictions on social media inPakistan including the temporary blocking of platforms like X in previousyears over content concerns. As the hearing approaches all partiesincluding jail authorities cybercrime agencies and PTI representatives havebeen directed to prepare comprehensive responses. The proceedings arelikely to attract significant media coverage given the former primeminister’s enduring popularity and the implications for political discoursein the country.
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This matter highlights the evolving legal framework governing social mediausage by incarcerated individuals in Pakistan. With the petition pendingsince late 2025 and multiple procedural hurdles the court’s forthcomingdecision may set important precedents on balancing security concerns withfundamental rights in the digital age.
Source:https://www.dawn.com/news/1951202/ihc-to-hear-plea-seeking-closure-of-imrans-x-account
Tags: Imran Khan, Islamabad High Court, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, X Account
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