The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to provide journalist Asad Toor with details of allegations against him, following a summons issued by the agency. The court was informed that NCCIA had failed to fulfill legal requirements while issuing the notice and did not provide any information about the alleged offenses.
Toor challenged the summons in the IHC on Thursday, arguing that the NCCIA had not fulfilled its obligations under the law. He claimed that he was unaware of the exact allegations against him at the time of receiving the notice. Toor’s counsel submitted that all relevant details and material relating to the allegations should be provided to them in advance.
The court asked why Toor did not appear before NCCIA, as they were aware of his presence but failed to provide any information about the alleged offenses. The petitioner replied that he was unaware of the exact nature of the allegations against him at the time and therefore could not respond accordingly.
Justice Mohammad Azam Khan observed in the hearing that the petition would be disposed of with directions to NCCIA to provide Toor with all relevant details concerning the allegations. He noted that providing such information was precisely what Toor had requested, which he submitted were necessary for his defense.
The IHC subsequently directed NCCIA to comply with its order and provide Toor with details of the alleged offenses against him. The court also condemned the notice issued by NCCIA to Toor, stating that it constituted a state of press freedom under threat. The National Press Club (NPC) expressed alarm at this development, urging institutions to play their roles in accordance with law, constitution, and fundamental human rights.
The NPC warned against steps curtailing freedom of expression and fostering insecurity among the journalist community. It demanded that notice be withdrawn and the constitutional and legal rights of journalists be respected. Toor was also arrested under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act for allegedly launching a malicious campaign against state institutions in February 2024, which drew criticism from the media fraternity.
The arrest led to his release in March after he was cleared by an independent investigation panel. The incident highlighted concerns about press freedom and accountability within Pakistan’s cybercrime investigations.
Based on reporting from Dawn.
