Journalist remanded in FIA custody over ‘anti-state’ content
HRCP, journalists decry crackdown on media freedom
THE FRONT PAGE
March 21. 2025
A KARACHI court has remanded journalist Farhan Mallick into custody of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for four days, over allegations of airing “anti-state” content on his media outlet’s YouTube channel.
The arrest has reignited concerns regarding press freedom in Pakistan, with journalists and human rights groups describing it as part of a broader crackdown on independent reporting. The case now hinges on the legal proceedings ahead and whether the authorities can justify the charges against him.
Mallick is the founder of ‘Raftar’ — a media agency that describes itself as a “dynamic platform dedicated to driving social change through storytelling” — and a former news director at Samaa TV.
According to FIA Cybercrime Reporting Centre’s Additional Director Shahzad Haider, an inquiry into Mallick’s work began three months ago. He claimed that Mallick had broadcast “several programmes against the security establishment” and was formally arrested following the inquiry’s completion.
On Friday, Mallick was presented before Judicial Magistrate-I (East) Yusra Ashfaq, where the FIA requested a 14-day remand but was granted four days, until March 25. Court documents, verified by Dawn.com, show that he has been charged under multiple provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016, including: Section 16: Tampering with communication equipment; Section 20: Malicious code; and Section 26-A: False and fake information
Additionally, he faces charges under sections 500 (defamation) and 109 (abetment) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Notably, Section 26-A was recently introduced into Peca, defining "fake news" as any information a person “knows or has reason to believe” to be false and likely to create fear, panic, disorder, or unrest.
A conviction under this provision can result in up to three years in prison, a fine of up to Rs2 million, or both. The criminalisation of online disinformation has sparked widespread concern in Pakistan, with journalists fearing the law’s potential misuse.
In reaction to Mallick’s arrest, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) demanded his immediate release and a transparent investigation. “The government must rein in agencies like the FIA and uphold the right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by Article 19 of the Constitution,” the HRCP said in a statement.
The Karachi Press Club also condemned Mallick’s arrest, with its president, Fazil Jamili, warning that the Peca law is being used to muzzle journalists. “This draconian law is being weaponized to silence the press. He should be released immediately,” he urged.
Prominent journalists including Shahzad Iqbal of Geo News described Mallick as a credible professional who always maintained a low profile, focusing solely on news. “Another shameful attempt to suppress free speech,” Iqbal wrote on X while speaking of Mallick’s arrest.
However, a former assistant professor of Karachi University has accused Mallick of introducing controversial editorial practices during his tenure at Samaa TV.