August 6, 2026
By Hashir Ahasan
ISLAMABAD:
A petition was heard today in the court of Justice Khadim Hussain Somroo of the Islamabad High Court filed by journalist and YouTuber Asad Ali Toor, against notices issued to him by the NCCIA. During the inquiry, the court stopped the investigating officer from harassing Toor and ordered that officer to appear in court personally.
Toor’s lawyer, Attaullah Kundi, told the court that his client is willing to join the inquiry but doesn’t want to be arrested, since he’s been accused of spreading fake and false information. The judge asked which specific news report was being called “fake.” The lawyer explained it was about a report Toor had shared, quoting a journalist, regarding the medical condition of PTI’s founder (Imran Khan). After hearing this, the court summoned the investigating officer in person and adjourned the case.
In his petition, Toor says he is a professional journalist who has worked in the field since 2005 and currently runs a digital news platform called “Asad Toor Uncensored,” where he reports on courts, the constitution, government actions, human rights, and press freedom. He also mentions that he received the Netherlands Embassy’s “Human Rights Tulip Award 2024″ on 17 December 2024 for his work on press freedom and democratic rights.He says the NCCIA sent him three notices in total:Notice 1received July 29): Told him to appear on July 31 at 11 AM, but gave no details of any complaint or accuser — just a vague mention of fake/fabricated information.” Toor challenged this in court and also wrote to NCCIA asking for the written complaint and evidence. This one, for the first time, gave details — referring to a July 26 vlog about Imran Khan’s health and detention conditions.
The complainant was listed only as “through State,” with no actual name. Toor claims this notice was dated the same as Notice 1, so it couldn’t have been a proper response to his letter or a compliance with the court’s earlier orderwhich had directed NCCIA to first share the details of allegations and then give him reasonable time final notice, issued August 3.
Despite Toor submitting a detailed written response with evidence on August 4, NCCIA gave him just 24 hours’ notice to appear in person, again without naming the complainant, and threatened one-sided action and prosecution under Section 174 PPC if he didn’t show up.Toor’s lawyer says his client offered to submit answers and appear online/via video link, but the NCCIA officer refused and insisted on physical appearance.
Toor’s team argues that giving only 24 hours goes against the spirit of the court’s earlier order, and that threatening arrest despite his full cooperation amounts to an attack on press freedom citing Articles 19 and 19A of the Constitution،He has asked the court to declare all these notices illegal and void, direct NCCIA to disclose full details of who complained against him, and stop any coercive action or arrest.