Key Takeaways
- The Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to provide journalist Asad Toor with details of allegations against him.
- Toor challenged a summons issued by NCCIA for allegedly disseminating false information, arguing he was unaware of specific charges.
- NPC condemned the notice, warning it could undermine press freedom and security among journalists.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to provide journalist Asad Toor with details of the allegations against him. This directive came after Toor challenged a summons issued by NCCIA, which accused him of allegedly disseminating false information.
On Wednesday, NCCIA had issued a notice to Toor for an inquiry into his alleged dissemination, transmission and public exhibition of false or fake information. He was required to appear before the NCCIA Cybercrime Reporting Centre in Islamabad at 11am on July 31.
Toor challenged this summons in the IHC on Thursday, arguing that NCCIA had failed to fulfill legal requirements and did not provide specific details about the allegations against him. Advocate Attaullah Kundi appeared before the court on behalf of Toor during the hearing.
During the hearing, Justice Mohammad Azam Khan asked why Toor’s counsel could not appear before NCCIA, given that they were unaware of the exact allegations and thus did not know how to respond. Kundi explained that all relevant details should be provided in advance so that a proper defense could be prepared.
Justice Azam Khan observed that the petition would be disposed with directions for NCCIA to provide Toor with all relevant details concerning the allegations, effectively disposing of the petition and directing NCCIA accordingly.
The National Press Club (NPC) condemned the notice issued by NCCIA, expressing alarm at the state of press freedom. NPC leadership stated that subjecting journalists to legal pressure for performing their professional duties or expressing critical opinions was not a good sign for any democratic society.
Asserting that free and responsible journalism is essential for a strong democratic system, NPC urged institutions to respect the constitutional and legal rights of journalists. The NPC warned against steps that could curtail freedom of the press and foster insecurity among the journalist community.
Toor had faced similar challenges in February 2024 when he was arrested under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act for allegedly launching a malicious campaign against state institutions, an action that drew criticism from the media fraternity. He was later released in March.
Why don’t you appear before the NCCIA? Don’t you have a defence?
Justice Mohammad Azam Khan, Judge
All details and material relating to the allegations should be provided to the petitioner in advance.
Advocate Attaullah Kundi, Counsel for Asad Toor
