Instagram head of former Pakistan PM Imran Khan picked up in Lahore

The Instagram chief of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf was reportedly taken away by authorities in Pakistan on Thursday as part of the federal government’s ongoing crackdown against social media activists of ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), in coordination with intelligence agencies and the police, has launched a nationwide campaign against social media activists, especially Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which is involved in a conspiracy against Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir. The alleged online campaign has since surfaced.

Khan claimed on Twitter on Thursday that the party’s Instagram chief Ataur Rehman was picked up from Lahore on Thursday morning. Khan tweeted that another kidnapping was witnessed last night. This time PTI’s Instagram lead Ataur Rehman has been picked up from Faisal Town Lahore. Our social media team strongly condemn these continuous kidnappings. Atta has been with us for 15 years. These people are breaking all the laws.

Last week, intelligence agencies picked up another key social media activist of PTI and handle ‘Hamara Pak’, Waqas Amjad, who was allegedly tortured in judicial custody. Last month, Azhar Mashwani, Khan’s focal person on social media, was also picked up by the authorities. Khan has accused the military establishment of “kidnapping” his party’s social media activists.