On Monday, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) took swift action and arrested Haider Saeed in Banigala, near Islamabad. He is accused of running an “anti-state campaign” on social media, which is linked to the Jaffar Express attack in Balochistan. The FIA claims that he disseminated hatred against state institutions.
Last Tuesday, the Jaffar Express, which was carrying 440 passengers from Quetta to Peshawar, was attacked by terrorists from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). The attackers opened fire on the train and took several hostages. A two-day security operation ensued, led by Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, and concluded on Wednesday with the neutralization of 33 terrorists. Unfortunately, the operation also resulted in the tragic deaths of 26 hostages, including 18 security personnel.
ریاستی اداروں کے خلاف نفرت انگیز مہم چلانے والا ملزم بنی گالہ سے گرفتار pic.twitter.com/LSLr0yymOe
— Geo News Urdu (@geonews_urdu) March 17, 2025
The FIA nabbed Saeed during a raid. “He shared propaganda against institutions,” their statement read. They claim he backed the banned BLA online. “He posted inflammatory content favoring terrorists,” they added. The FIA seized his accounts and filed an FIR on March 16. It calls his tweets “intimidating” and subversive.
Read: Pakistan Army Completes Jaffar Express Rescue Operation
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) responded to recent events. A supporter of Imran Khan named Saeed shared on his X account that police and intelligence officials had raided their home.
جب ڈی جی آئی ایس پی آر صاحب نے بلوچستان میں دہشتگردی کے اندوہناک سانحے کے بعد کہا کہ "اب رولز آف دی گیم بدل گئے ہیں" تو قوم نے سمجھا کہ شاید اب واقعی پالیسی تبدیل ہوگی، اور فوج کی ساری توجہ سیاسی مداخلت اور پی ٹی آئی کو ختم کرنے کے بجائے اپنے اصل کام یعنی سرحدوں کی حفاظت اور ملک… pic.twitter.com/fKqu1ZKiNd
— PTI (@PTIofficial) March 16, 2025
Punjab Minister Azma Bokhari criticized PTI, stating, “PTI runs a toxic campaign.” She also connected their rhetoric to narratives seen in Indian media during the Jaffar Express attack.
Bokhari didn’t stop there. She slammed KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. “KP faces terror, yet he defends Afghans,” she said. She tied Afghanistan to recent attacks, including this one. The FIA warns of strict action ahead. This Jaffar Express attack saga keeps stirring debate.