On Sunday, Anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan was booked under sedition charges in Thatta, Sindh. The complainant is identified as the Aashiq Ali Qureshi, a gutka seller. Qureshi has a shady criminal record.
Offenses on Imran Riaz Khan include Section 131 (incitement to mutiny); 153 (provoking to cause riot); 452 (trespassing) and 505 (statement conducing to public mischief) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
The complainant alleged Imran Riaz Khan was ‘fuming’ against army and state institutions in a “derogatory and provocative language” on social media.
“I am a patriotic citizen and I am shocked and hurt by how anchor Imran Riaz Khan has spoken on social media against Pakistan Army and state institutions,” the FIR read.
Meanwhile, as per media reports, the Police record shows at least ten complaints have been filed against the complainant himself in different police stations from 2015 to 2022 related to selling hazardous chewing tobacco.
Cases on him are being registered under Section 270 of Pakistan Penal Code (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), Section 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life). A case has also been registered against him under Section 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) states Express Tribune. The complainant has also not mentioned his complete address and phone number in the FIR.
Imran Riaz Khan video message
In his video message released on Sunday, he warned that authorities wanting to search his home can do so but they should not misbehave with his family. He released his video message from an unknown location. Riaz says he has asked his family to cooperate with law and law enforcement agencies. Riaz said he would name them if they target or abuse the family.
Read more: Police registers FIR against ARY’s Arshad Sharif
Video message of Imran Riaz Khan from unknown place after FIR#ImranRiazKhan#امپورٹڈ__حکومت___نامنظور#MarchAgainstImportedGovt pic.twitter.com/Yo2G9gV7pG
— Saqlain Hamwana (@SaqlainZafar13) May 22, 2022
Condemnation by Imran Khan
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has condemned the alleged fake cases against Imran Riaz Khan and other journalists, Arshad Sharif and Sami Ibrahim.
I strongly condemn the political victimisation of journalists Arshad Sharif, Sami Ibrahim, Imran Riaz Khan through fake FIRs by the Imported government brought in through US regime change conspiracy. This is absolutely unacceptable.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 22, 2022
Imran Riaz Khan has been quite vocal against the current coalition government and had been backing the claims of USA-backed regime change in Pakistan.