KARACHI: The Brigade police on Tuesday registered a case against PTI leader Shahbaz Gill over charges of using ‘inappropriate’ language against the former army chief and a sitting senior military officer.

A police officer, who wished not to be named, said the FIR had been registered against the PTI leader under sections 500, 505, 131 and 153-A of the Pakistan Penal Code and PECA’s relevant sections on the complaint of a citizen.

According to the FIR, complainant Mohammed Saeed, a resident of Jacob Lines, said he was a hairdresser by profession and law-abiding citizen. He said he was using his mobile phone when he saw a video in which the PTI leader was making a speech which was highlighted by electronic and social media and it went viral.

In the speech, Shahbaz Gill was saying how it was possible that he and Azam Swati were made “naked without orders of Bajwa Sahib” and how it was possible that one army officer with a rank of major general could do anything on his own and without the army chief’s orders.

The complainant said such words of Mr Gill were aimed at instigating the general public against the army chief and other army officers.

“He (Mr Gill) has given a false impression that army chief was involved in all these things,” he said.

He said the suspect had made this campaign under a well thought conspiracy, which was shared by social media with an aim to spread hatred and enmity against the army.

The suspect had also launched a campaign for defaming and harming the reputation of the army chief, the complainant said.

“Such statement of the suspect is aimed at instigating the army, navy, air force to rebel and such statement triggers fear and chaos among the masses,” said the complainant, adding that under such circumstances, any person can commit any illegal act against state institutions, leading to breach of peace. Therefore, a legal action should be initiated against Shahbaz Gill, the complainant said.

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2022