The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested Farhan Malik, a senior journalist and the founder of the YouTube channel “Raftar.”
His arrest was confirmed by Raftar’s editor, Fahad Kyar, and his legal representative, Advocate Abdul Moiz Jaffery.
According to Jaffery, Malik was detained under the newly introduced provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). However, the FIA has yet to provide his family with an official First Information Report (FIR) or details regarding the charges against him.
Jaffery further stated that Malik was initially called in for questioning by the FIA, but after being held for two to three hours, he was formally placed under arrest.
Raftar issued a statement on social media, alleging that FIA officials visited their office a day earlier without prior notice, intimidated staff members, and directed Malik to appear at their office the following day at 1 PM.
Complying with the summons, Malik arrived at the FIA office but was kept waiting for several hours before being taken into custody at 6 PM.
The Raftar team has demanded an immediate explanation from the FIA regarding the reasons for his arrest.
In an official statement, the FIA confirmed the journalist’s detention, stating that he was apprehended as part of an ongoing investigation. The agency claimed that Malik had been summoned multiple times in the past to record statements.
FIA officials asserted that his arrest was made after the completion of their inquiry, and he remains in custody for further questioning.
Sources disclosed that FIA personnel had visited the Raftar office the previous day, but Malik was not present at the time.
While Malik has been called for questioning on previous occasions, his lawyer indicated that this case appears to be unrelated to past inquiries.
Speaking to the media, Raftar’s editor, Fahad Kyar, revealed that no FIR copy has been shared with the team, making it unclear which specific content may have prompted the authorities’ action.
Farhan Malik, a well-known digital journalist, has had an extensive career in the media industry and remains an active voice on social media.
His arrest has raised concerns within the journalistic community, with many expressing apprehension about the implications for press freedom.
