The Islamabad High Court has ordered the NCCIA to give journalist Asad Toor details of the allegations against him after he challenged a cybercrime summons. The National Press Club also condemned the notice as a threat to press freedom.

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday directed the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to provide journalist and vlogger Asad Toor with details of the allegations against him after he challenged a summons issued in a cybercrime inquiry.

The agency had served Toor a notice on Wednesday, asking him to appear before the NCCIA Cybercrime Reporting Centre in Islamabad at 11am on July 31 in connection with an inquiry into the “alleged dissemination, transmission and/or public exhibition of false/fake information”.

Toor moved the IHC on Thursday, arguing that the notice did not meet legal requirements and failed to spell out the accusations he was expected to answer. When the petition came up before Justice Mohammad Azam Khan, Advocate Attaullah Kundi appeared for the petitioner.

During the hearing, the court asked counsel, “Why don’t you appear before the NCCIA? Don’t you have a defence?” Kundi replied that the defence could not be prepared because the petitioner had not been told the precise nature of the allegations. He requested that all material and details relating to the accusations be supplied beforehand.

Justice Azam Khan observed that the petition would be disposed of with directions to the NCCIA to furnish the relevant particulars. The court subsequently disposed of the matter and ordered the agency to provide Toor with details of the allegations against him.

Press club condemns notice

Earlier, the National Press Club (NPC) had criticised the NCCIA notice, calling it alarming for press freedom. The club said, “Subjecting journalists to legal pressure and retaliation for performing their professional duties or expressing critical opinions is not a good omen for any democratic society.”

Calling freedom of expression a constitutional right, the NPC urged institutions to act within the law, the Constitution and fundamental human rights. It added, “Free, responsible and safe journalism is the foundation of a strong democratic system,” and demanded withdrawal of the notice along with respect for the “constitutional and legal rights” of journalists.

Toor was also arrested in February 2024 under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act over allegations of running a malicious campaign against state institutions. He was released the following month after the move drew criticism from sections of the media fraternity.