NCCIA summons journalist Asad Ali Toor over alleged dissemination of fake information

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on Wednesday issued a summons notice to journalist Asad Ali Toor for an inquiry into alleged dissemination of false information by him. The notice, available with Dawn, named the state as the complainant against Toor for “alleged dissemination, transmission and/or public exhibition of false/fake information”. It was issued on a complaint filed under Section 26A (punishment for false and fake information) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (Peca). The journalist was directed to appear before the NCCIA Cybercrime Reporting Centre in Islamabad at 11am on July 31. The NCCIA warned that failure to appear “without lawful excuse shall be deemed as your unwillingness to offer any defence, and the inquiry will proceed” in his absence. It added that non-compliance with the notice would be punishable under Section 174 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Toor, in a post on X, also shared the notice alongside poetry by revolutionary poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz. “NCCIA has summoned me on this Friday, July 31, 2026 on the complaint of the state,” Toor wrote. The National Press Club (NPC) in Islamabad condemned the NCCIA notice, expressing alarm at the state of press freedom. Asserting that the right to freedom of expression was a constitutional right, NPC leadership 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.” NPC urged institutions to play their respective roles in accordance with law, constitution and fundamental human rights. “Free, responsible and safe journalism is the foundation of a strong democratic system,” NPC said, demanding that notice be withdrawn and the “constitutional and legal rights” of journalists be respected. It warned against steps curtailing freedom of the press and fostering “insecurity among the journalist community”. Toor was also arrested in 2024 over charges under the Peca for allegedly launching a malicious campaign against state institutions, a move which drew criticism from the media fraternity. He was later released.

National Press Club demands withdrawal of NCCIA notice, says journalists' rights must be protected