ISLAMABAD: A district and sessions court in Islamabad has issued arrest warrants for YouTuber Imran Riaz Khan and two officials of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) in connection with a smear social media campaign against Judge Humayun Dilawar.
During the hearing, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) obtained arrest warrants for Imran Riaz. Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah approved the request and ordered his arrest.
The court also issued arrest warrants for KP Anti-Corruption Director Sadiq Anjum and Adviser to the ACE Musaddiq Abbasi on a separate request filed by the NCCIA.
In September 2024, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had registered a case against Brigadier (retd) Musaddiq Abbasi and the anti-corruption officials on a complaint lodged by Judge Humayun Dilawar’s family.
The case was filed under Sections 505, 506, 34, and 109 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) by the FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing.
According to the complaint, Judge Dilawar’s nephew, Ahmed Dilawar, had requested the FIA to initiate a defamation case against Abbasi and other anti-corruption officials.
Judicial Magistrate Mureed Abbas later issued the warrants in both cases.
The NCCIA had formally submitted petitions seeking the arrest of the accused in the ongoing investigation related to the online campaign targeting Judge Dilawar.
Judge Humayun Dilawar had earlier convicted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, along with his wife Bushra Bibi, in the Toshakhana case.
Months after that verdict, the KP Anti-Corruption Establishment initiated an inquiry against Judge Dilawar. The provincial body had sought details of all assets owned by the judge and his family from relevant institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Following complaints received against Judge Dilawar, the Anti-Corruption Establishment began an inquiry “to ascertain the facts,” according to KP government spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, who had earlier confirmed the development to HUM News English.
Imran Riaz Khan is living in London after fleeing Pakistan. Imran Riaz’s family earlier said that he reached London safely by navigating danger zones instead of accepting deals that transport one to safer area in special planes.