ISLAMABAD: The Pak­is­tan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Monday accused the government of taking action against its political opponents and curbing social media freedom by arresting users for ‘maligning the judiciary’.

In a statement, PTI’s spok­es­man Fawad Chaudhry alleged that by using the judiciary’s name, the government had started harassing those demanding accountability of the rulers in the Panama Papers case.

Commenting on recent arrests of social media users, the PTI leader said the government was making “freedom of expression on social media a crime”. He asked Chief Justice Saqib Nisar to take notice of the government’s action, adding that the PTI would not let the rulers control social media.

Meanwhile, PTI secretary general Jahangir Tareen pre­sided over a meeting of the party’s “Political Comm­ittee” and discussed strategy for the next general elections.

The meeting was attended by additional secretary general Atif Khan and deputy secretaries general Murad Saeed and Aizaz Asif.

According to the PTI’s central media department, the mee­ting discussed the party’s criteria for the selection of candidates for the elections.

Mr Tareen said the PTI wo­uld challenge the ruling party in the up­coming elections across the country. The parliamentary board, led by chairman Imran Khan, would soon start selection of candidates who will be interviewed by the party chief himself, he added.

“The PTI will not let PML-N’s coalition and the Election Commission steal its mandate,” he said.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2017