In a significant development, the Islamabad police have filed a case against Shayan Ali, a UK-based social media activist affiliated with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), under anti-terror law. The move comes after a series of incidents where Shayan Ali was allegedly involved in harassing a judicial officer through social media videos and physical confrontations.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed at the Ramna Police Station, Shayan Ali created and circulated videos targeting a judicial officer based in London. The FIR alleges that these videos showcased harassment and threats directed towards the judicial officer, with one video even suggesting an attempt to physically harm him, which was fortunately thwarted by security personnel.
One particular video that gained traction on social media showed Shayan Ali promising to make the life of the judicial officer unbearable during his training at a UK educational institution. Additionally, a separate incident captured Shayan Ali and his team holding placards with the name of the judicial officer at an airport terminal, vowing to follow and confront him.
In another alarming episode, Shayan Ali was recorded chasing Islamabad Additional District and Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar, who had previously sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan for charges related to concealment of assets and corrupt practices. The pursuit occurred at Hull University, where the judge was participating in a human rights and rule of law program.
The university responded to the incident by clarifying that their selection process for judges is determined by reputable Pakistani courts, distancing themselves from the selection process.
The FIR alleges that Shayan Ali and his associates, including Sarah Mir and Adil Farooq Raja, engaged in actions intended to coerce, intimidate, and obstruct judicial officers from discharging their lawful duties impartially. It further contends that these actions were undertaken to manipulate judicial decisions in favor of a political party and to create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity within society.
The FIR also implicates Shayan Ali and his team in glorifying and promoting terrorist activities to achieve political objectives, with claims that their behavior amounted to acts of terrorism. The FIR specifically highlights instances where derogatory language and threats were directed towards the judicial officer.
The Islamabad police’s action in registering the case against Shayan Ali and his associates under anti-terror law underscores the seriousness of the alleged offenses and their potential implications for the rule of law and judicial integrity.
As the investigation proceeds, legal experts and observers are closely watching the case’s developments, anticipating how it will impact the larger discourse surrounding the role of social media activism and its relationship with the justice system.
