Arrest of Journalist Asad Toor Sparks Concerns in Pakistan
News Desk
Islamabad: An independent journalist Asad Ali Toor was arrested by Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Islamabad following a summons for questioning regarding an alleged campaign against Supreme Court judges on February 26, 2024.
Toor, known for his YouTube channel “Asad Toor Uncensored” with over 160,000 subscribers, was apprehended at the FIA’s cybercrime wing.
Despite the presence of his lawyer, Imaan Mazari-Hazir, and two other attorneys, the FIA refused them access during Toor’s interrogation. Afterward, Toor’s arrest was communicated to his legal team by an FIA official emerging from the building, which was subsequently locked with its lights turned off. A handwritten note from Toor, requesting assistance for his elderly mother, was provided to his lawyers by an FIA guard.
As of Tuesday morning, Toor’s legal representatives had not been provided with a copy of the initial investigation report. Prior to his arrest, Toor had been detained and questioned on Friday without legal representation. He later received a summons for Monday’s questioning.
Toor petitioned the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to declare the FIA notices unlawful and prevent further harassment or detention. The Chief Justice’s response mandated Toor’s participation in the inquiry without harassment.
Toor’s legal team planned to challenge his arrest at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday. He had discovered the February 23 summons through social media due to an outdated address.
During the February 23 interrogation, Toor was questioned by six unidentified individuals about his criticisms of the Chief Justice and his journalistic sources. Threats were made regarding potential raids on his home, detention, and device confiscation.
In May 2021, Toor was assaulted in his Islamabad apartment by three unidentified individuals, one of whom claimed to be from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency, as detailed in a recent BBC documentary.
Toor’s critical reporting on the Chief Justice and the Pakistani military on platforms like YouTube and Twitter has drawn attention. The FIA had previously summoned him in January regarding the alleged campaign against Supreme Court judges following a ruling related to electoral symbols.
Efforts to reach Pakistan’s Information Minister Murtaza Solangi for comment were unsuccessful.
Despite the presence of his lawyer, Imaan Mazari-Hazir, and two other attorneys, the FIA refused them access during Toor’s interrogation. Afterward, Toor’s arrest was communicated to his legal team by an FIA official emerging from the building, which was subsequently locked with its lights turned off. A handwritten note from Toor, requesting assistance for his elderly mother, was provided to his lawyers by an FIA guard.
As of Tuesday morning, Toor’s legal representatives had not been provided with a copy of the initial investigation report. Prior to his arrest, Toor had been detained and questioned on Friday without legal representation. He later received a summons for Monday’s questioning.
Toor petitioned the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to declare the FIA notices unlawful and prevent further harassment or detention. The Chief Justice’s response mandated Toor’s participation in the inquiry without harassment.
Toor’s legal team planned to challenge his arrest at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday. He had discovered the February 23 summons through social media due to an outdated address.
During the February 23 interrogation, Toor was questioned by six unidentified individuals about his criticisms of the Chief Justice and his journalistic sources. Threats were made regarding potential raids on his home, detention, and device confiscation.
In May 2021, Toor was assaulted in his Islamabad apartment by three unidentified individuals, one of whom claimed to be from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency, as detailed in a recent BBC documentary.
Toor’s critical reporting on the Chief Justice and the Pakistani military on platforms like YouTube and Twitter has drawn attention. The FIA had previously summoned him in January regarding the alleged campaign against Supreme Court judges following a ruling related to electoral symbols.
Efforts to reach Pakistan’s Information Minister Murtaza Solangi for comment were unsuccessful.
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