Whatsapp data revealed that Raoof Hasan had shocking communications with American Ryan Grim and Indian journalist Karan Thapar.
A month ago, the PTI spokesperson was arrested by the Islamabad police as the interior ministry accused the party of peddling “anti-state propaganda”.
“Raoof Hasan was arrested during the raid. PTI is involved in anti-state propaganda,” the ministry’s statement said, adding that a joint investigation team was being constituted to further probe into the matter.
As per the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif, “digital terrorists” are using tools such as cell phones, computers, falsehood, and propaganda to impose their will on society just like regular terrorists do.
The DG ISPR had sought action against such individuals because of their activities against the leadership of the state and other institutions. “Instead of the courts and regulations moving forward against them, they’re given further space and they’re made heroes in the name of freedom of expression,” he said.
The new Whatsapp data has revealed that Raoof Hasan as PTI’s Media Coordinator officially reached out to Indian journalist Karan Thapar. In their initial WhatsApp exchange, Thapar inquired about a potential interview with PTI senior leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
Karan Thapar shared his YouTube interview with the PTI leader including comments by Rana Banerji, former Secretary of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), regarding Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir.
Shared on November 24, 2022, the video revealed that Thapar described the COAS as a more hardline leader from India’s viewpoint. The following day, Thapar sent another interview pertaining to the COAS to Hasan.
Also in a February 2023 WhatsApp message, Raoof Hasan allegedly lauded India’s stance on the Ukraine issue while strongly criticising Pakistan’s stance, sources said. They added that Raoof criticised Pakistan in his conversation with Thapar. "Pakistan’s position is shocking. Despite abstaining from voting at the UN, there are reports that Pakistan is supplying weapons to Ukraine," hasan said.
Again in March 2023, Hasan wrote to Thapar in Whatsapp messages, labelling the arrests made at Imran Khan’s residence as state violence. "Pakistan appears ready for a bloody revolution," Hasan said during the conversation.
On May 10, 2023, Raoof recorded an interview with Karan Thapar via Zoom, the sources alleged.
Afterwards, Hasan said, "Complete military movement is being observed on Pakistan s streets and alleys.” He suggested that "we are passing through an undeclared martial law era."
The PTI spokesperson allegedly passed sensitive information to the Indian journalist.
The newly emerged WhatsApp messages have confirmed that Raoof encouraged Karan Thapar to promote narratives against Pakistan.
