Islamabad — Singer and social media personality Imaan Hadi has filed a formal application before an Islamabad court seeking to summon the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) as a witness in a case linked to her controversial social media posts, adding a new dimension to the ongoing legal proceedings.
According to court documents, Imaan Hadi’s legal team argued that the testimony of the DG ISPR is relevant to the case, particularly in understanding the broader context in which the disputed social media content was shared and interpreted. The defence maintained that official narratives and public statements issued by state institutions are central to assessing the impact and intent of the posts under scrutiny.
The case stems from allegations that certain posts made by Imaan Hadi on social media platforms were offensive and contributed to unrest, leading to legal action under relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and cybercrime laws. Prosecutors have claimed the content crossed legal boundaries, while the defence insists the posts were misread and fall within the ambit of constitutionally protected freedom of expression.
Legal observers say the move to call the military’s top spokesperson as a witness is unusual and reflects a strategic attempt by the defence to bring institutional clarity into the proceedings. The application has sparked debate among legal experts and civil society members, with some viewing it as a step towards transparency, while others caution against drawing powerful state offices into civilian court disputes.
Supporters of the singer argue that summoning key figures could help establish context and intent, particularly in cases involving sensitive national discourse and online expression. Meanwhile, critics warn that such requests could prolong proceedings and risk politicising an already high-profile case.
The court has yet to decide on the application, and further hearings are expected to determine whether the request will be accepted. The outcome is being closely watched, as it could influence how courts handle cases involving social media speech, state institutions and individual rights in Pakistan.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.