PTI Says It Does Not Claim Ownership of Imran Khan’s X Account

The Islamabad High Court has given Barrister Gohar more time to submit a written response to a petition seeking the closure of the former prime minister’s account.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has told the Islamabad High Court that his party does not claim ownership of founder Imran Khan’s official X account, as proceedings continue over a petition seeking its closure.

The court granted Gohar additional time to submit a written response during a hearing on Thursday, 15 October. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir adjourned further proceedings until 23 November, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

Court asks for the party’s position in writing

Gohar appeared in person alongside Khan’s lawyers, Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry and Shamsa Kiyani. Officials from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency and other parties were also present.

During the hearing, the court observed that Gohar had not been summoned to appear personally and could instead have submitted his response in writing, according to The Express Tribune.

The PTI chairman maintained that the party did not claim ownership of the account. He requested further time to provide a detailed reply, citing a change in circumstances. The court allowed the request and directed him to set out the party’s position in writing.

Petition questions operation of the account

The proceedings arise from a petition filed by Ghulam Murtaza concerning the X account associated with Khan.

When reporting the petition in September 2025, The Express Tribune said the petitioner had challenged posts published from the account during Khan’s imprisonment, describing them as inflammatory and unlawful.

The petitioner also sought an investigation by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to establish who was operating the account. Those descriptions were allegations advanced in the petition.

Regulator’s earlier requests also examined

The dispute has previously involved questions about the platform’s response to requests from Pakistani authorities.

In January 2026, The Express Tribune reported that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority had told the court it approached X three times over the preceding three-and-a-half years to seek suspension of Khan’s account. The regulator said most of its requests had been declined.

Thursday’s reported hearing focused on obtaining PTI’s written response to the pending petition. Gohar’s statement set out the party’s position on ownership; it did not identify the account’s operator.

Further proceedings are scheduled for 23 November.