Imran Khan's Sister Faces PECA Charges Over Remarks Targeting Pakistan Army

Pakistan's anti-cybercrime agency has registered a case against Noreen Niazi, the sister of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, over comments she made about last year's military confrontation with India, marking the latest legal action amid the country's ongoing political tensions.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) registered a First Information Report (FIR) under Sections 20 and 26-A of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), accusing Niazi of publishing content that allegedly defamed Pakistan's armed forces and state institutions.

According to officials, the FIR was filed after the NCCIA issued her a summons on July 18 over an interview that was widely circulated on social media. Investigators alleged that Niazi disseminated false, provocative and inflammatory content intended to undermine public confidence in the state and spread what authorities described as "fake narratives." In the interview, Niazi claimed, without presenting evidence, that the May 2025 India-Pakistan military confrontation was the result of an understanding between Pakistan's military leadership and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bolster the image of Pakistan's armed forces. She also alleged that India deliberately avoided escalating the conflict and linked the episode to Pakistan's purported efforts to normalize ties with Israel and eventually join the Abraham Accords.

Pakistan has no diplomatic relations with Israel and has not announced any plans to recognize the country or participate in the Abraham Accords. The military confrontation followed the Pahalgam terror attack, which triggered four days of hostilities between India and Pakistan before tensions subsided.

The case against Niazi comes as Pakistan continues to witness heightened political tensions following the imprisonment of Imran Khan and a series of legal proceedings against members of his party and close associates. Opposition leaders have repeatedly alleged that state institutions are using legal measures to suppress dissent, while the government maintains that all investigations are being conducted in accordance with the law.

The latest FIR is expected to intensify debate over freedom of expression, cybercrime laws, and the use of legal action against opposition figures in Pakistan's increasingly polarized political landscape.