Rights activist Jibran Nisar summoned over 'anti-forces slogans'

KARACHI - The Sindh High Court (SHC) has summoned rights activist Jibran Nasir, who is contesting elections from NA-247, on July 16 for allegedly speaking against the security agencies of the country.

The high court on Friday issued a notice to Nasir following a petition filed by a voter from the NA-247 constituency seeking disqualification of the activist from the general elections set to be held on July 25.

In a tweet, Nasir stated that he has been served notice to appear before the court on July 16. “Forces intimidated by our struggle are filing frivolous cases,” he added.

https://twitter.com/MJibranNasir/status/1017739371896659968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1017739371896659968&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftribune.com.pk%2Fstory%2F1757173%2F1-jibran-nasir-served-legal-notice-raising-slogans-security-agencies%2F

Talking to an English daily, Nasir vowed to appear before the court, besides dubbing the notice as an attempt to distract his election campaign.

“If the court gives weightage to such cases, I am not going to apologise to the state and security agencies for it,” Nasir told Express Tribune. "What kind of examples would it set for other lawmakers if he is barred for contesting elections under this petition?"

He further tweeted, "I take full responsibility and ownership of all and remarks made by me about any security agency. I will not retract on any word as reminding institutions of their constitutional authority and criticizing them for transgressions is no crime".

The petitioner in the plea stated that Jibran "often provoked/incited peoples to make illegal protest against the Security Agencies of Pakistan".

He added that the rights activist "once provoked the people and took them in the premises of Honorable High Court of Sindh in which he and his accompanies made slogans against the Security Agencies of Pakistan".