Orya Maqbool Jan, a former bureaucrat and prominent YouTuber known for his criticism of the Pakistan Army, has been arrested on charges of inciting religious hatred and defaming institutions, particularly the military. Jan, aged 72, was taken into custody by the Federal Investigation Agencys (FIA) cybercrime wing on August 22, following a raid on his Lahore residence. He is being held for four days while investigations continue.Background and previous controversiesJan, who boasts over one million subscribers on his YouTube channel, is a playwright, poet, columnist, and former civil servant. His outspoken views against the militarys role in politics and support for imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan have previously led to his detention by intelligence agencies.In 2018, former Punjab provincial minister Mehmood-ur-Rasheed proposed Jan as a candidate for Punjab caretaker chief minister under Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The suggestion faced heavy criticism on social media due to Jans controversial reputation, leading to its retraction by PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry. Jans visa application to Norway was also rejected that year due to his critical comments about the Ahmadiyya and Jewish communities.Jans tenure as deputy commissioner in Balochistan was marked by his positive portrayal of the Taliban. In 2019, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) imposed a 30-day ban on Jans Neo TV show, “Harf-i-Raaz,” citing rule violations. He was accused of making derogatory remarks about Pakhtuns and interviewing a spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban.Current controversy and legal argumentsJans recent arrest is linked to remarks he allegedly made in social media posts concerning the Mubarak Sani case. On February 6, the Supreme Court of Pakistan, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, overturned Sanis conviction, which had been based on the Punjab Holy Quran (Printing and Recording) (Amendment) Act of 2019. The court ruled that the alleged offense was not criminalized until 2021, leading to Sanis release.This ruling prompted what was described by the government and legal community as a malicious and slanderous campaign against the Chief Justice, resulting in the Supreme Court issuing a clarification. Jans lawyer, Mian Ali Ashfaq, contends that the charges against his client are “false and baseless,” asserting that Jan has not insulted anyone.
