• Summoned to appear on July 20; move follows video containing ‘orchestrated conflict’ claims
• Attaullah Tarar accuses PTI of damaging Pakistan’s image for political gain, claims ‘India exploited her remarks’
ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has summoned Noreen Niazi, the sister of incarcerated former PM Imran Khan, to appear on Monday over allegations of disseminating “false, offensive and inflammatory” content against state institutions.
“You have been found to have disseminated false, offensive and inflammatory social media content to defame state institutions and spread fake narratives,” an NCCIA notice dated July 18 stated.
The agency directed Ms Niazi to appear at its Islamabad office on July 20 in connection with an inquiry. “In case of non-compliance, it will be assumed that you have nothing to present or state in your defence,” the notice further stated, adding that non-compliance was punishable under Section 174 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
While the notice did not specify the content, it was issued after a clip of her making claims about last year’s brief military conflict between Pakistan and India was widely shared on social media.
In the clip, Ms Niazi is seen alleging during an interview that the conflict was “orchestrated” to improve the image of Pakistan’s military.
She claimed the “drama” was played out in collaboration with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning why Modi would have refrained from further attacking Pakistan otherwise.
Ms Niazi went on to allege that the objective was to get Israel recognised by Pakistan, further linking US President Donald Trump’s praise of Pakistan’s leadership with Israel’s recognition as well.
Minister slams remarks
Meanwhile, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar accused Ms Niazi of making remarks that were “amplified by the Indian media”, alleging that the opposition was attempting to malign Pakistan for political gains.
Addressing a ceremony in Lahore, Mr Tarar said Ms Niazi’s statements sparked “strong public anger” and claimed they had been used by Indian media against Pakistan.
He asserted that history would remember any attempt to defame the country and that those seeking to tarnish Pakistan’s image have always faced humiliation.
The minister alleged that the opposition leadership had failed to criticise governance issues in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, focusing instead on negative politics.
“Pakistan exists; therefore, everything exists,” Tarar said, adding that the country’s international standing was improving.
Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2026
