Orya Maqbool Jan, a former bureaucrat and YouTuber known for his critical stance on the Pakistan Army, has been apprehended for allegedly inciting religious hatred and defaming institutions, particularly the military. The 72-year-old was taken into custody by the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) cybercrime wing after a raid on his Lahore residence on 22 August.
Jan, a playwright, poet, columnist, and former civil servant, commands an audience of over one million subscribers on his YouTube channel. His vocal criticism of the military’s political involvement and support for the imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan previously led to his detention by intelligence agencies for several days.
In 2018, Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, a former Punjab provincial minister, proposed Jan as a candidate for Punjab caretaker chief minister representing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). This suggestion faced significant backlash on social media due to Jan’s controversial reputation. PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry initially confirmed the consideration but later withdrew the proposal, resulting in Jan’s exclusion from the list. That same year, Jan’s visa application to Norway was denied due to his critical comments about the Ahmadiyya and Jewish communities.
BREAKING 🔴
Fascism 💔Former bureaucrat, Journalist & Thinker @OryaMaqboolJan
arrested by FIA Cyber Crime Wing from his Lahore residence,
Charged with spreading religious hatred & inciting divisions#OryaMaqboolJan #Pakistan #ImranKhan #Islamabad #IslamabadJalsa #OryaMaqbool pic.twitter.com/VvZvANnSpa— Sheikh Nabeel (@SheikhSpeaks786) August 22, 2024
During his time as deputy commissioner in Balochistan, Jan gained recognition for his positive portrayal of the Taliban. In 2019, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) imposed a 30-day ban on his show “Harf-i-Raaz” on Neo TV for rule violations. He faced accusations of making derogatory comments about Pakhtuns and interviewing a spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban, discussing their perspectives on Pakistan’s domestic and foreign policies.
Jan’s lawyer, Mian Ali Ashfaq, contends that his client has not insulted anyone and labelled the charges as “false and baseless.” Jan allegedly made remarks in social media posts related to the Mubarak Sani case. On 6 February, a Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa overturned Mubarak Sani’s conviction, which stemmed from the Punjab Holy Quran (Printing and Recording) (Amendment) Act of 2019. The court ruled that the alleged offence was not criminalised until 2021, leading to Sani’s immediate release.
The ruling triggered what the government and legal community described as a “malicious and slanderous campaign” against the Chief Justice, prompting the Supreme Court to issue a clarification.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The Indian Express reports on the arrest of Orya Maqbool Jan, a Pakistani YouTuber critical of the army, charged with spreading religious hatred and defaming institutions.(read more)
- The Express Tribune reports on the arrest of anchorperson Orya Maqbool Jan by FIA’s Cybercrime Wing in Lahore, over social media posts related to the Mubarak Sani case.(read more)
- Jasarat reports that Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has emphasized the importance of the Suez Canal’s role in global trade, highlighting its strategic value and the need for continuous development and modernization of the canal.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why was Orya Maqbool Jan arrested?
He was arrested for allegedly inciting religious hatred and defaming institutions, particularly the military.
What is Orya Maqbool Jan known for?
He is a former bureaucrat, YouTuber, playwright, poet, columnist, and has over one million subscribers on his YouTube channel.
What was the controversy involving Jan and the Punjab caretaker chief minister position?
Jan was suggested as a candidate, but the proposal sparked criticism due to his controversial reputation.
Why was Jan’s visa application to Norway rejected?
It was rejected due to his critical remarks about the Ahmadiyya and Jewish communities.
What led to the 30-day ban on Jan’s show ‘Harf-i-Raaz’?
PEMRA imposed the ban due to rule violations and derogatory remarks about Pakhtuns.