Blogger and YouTuber Asad Ali Toor was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Monday as part of an investigation into an alleged malicious campaign against Supreme Court judges, including Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa.
Toor’s arrest is linked to a broader inquiry initiated by the caretaker government to investigate a campaign targeting judges after a verdict related to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) intra-party polls.
Toor’s counsel, Imaan Mazari, confirmed the arrest and stated that on February 23, Toor was detained for eight hours by FIA officials after voluntarily appearing before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) without prior notice.
Subsequently, Toor received a second notice and was asked to appear before the JIT on Monday. Despite legal efforts to address concerns, Toor was kept in custody until around 9 pm, and FIA officials verbally confirmed his arrest without providing a formal FIR.
Imaan Mazari expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the case, emphasizing that Toor’s detention without proper notice and subsequent arrest raises concerns about due process and citizens’ right to information. Human rights activist Usama Khilji echoed these concerns, stating that the incident could have a chilling effect on journalism in Pakistan.
The JIT, tasked with investigating the social media campaign, aims to ascertain facts, identify culprits, and recommend preventive measures against such incidents in the future. Toor’s arrest adds to the ongoing debate surrounding freedom of expression and press freedom in Pakistan.
