September 12, 2026
By Hashir Ahsan
ISLAMABAD
Journalist Bilal Ghauri’s legal counsel is expected to appear in court on September 14, as directed the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to present their arguments on Ghauri’s post-arrest bail application. Earlier on Saturday, Ghauri was arrested under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), to be sent on judicial remand.
According to the written order issued after today’s hearing, the accused had already spent sufficient time in physical custody, while no significant progress had been demonstrated during the last period of physical remand. The court further noted that the record was silent on whether the investigation could not proceed without the accused’s presence.
“Granting physical remand should not be treated as a routine matter, nor should it be extended in a mechanical manner,” the order stated.
The court observed that it was necessary to exercise judicial mind and determine whether a genuine and real need for further physical custody existed. It therefore rejected the application for further physical remand and sent the accused to judicial custody.
Ghauri is to be produced before the court on September 26, while the concerned Station House Officer (SHO) has been directed to submit the report (challan) under Section 173 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.P.C.) within the stipulated period.
NCCIA’s allegations
The NCCIA’s Cyber Crime Reporting Centre, Islamabad, told the court that upon the conclusion of Inquiry No. 2532/2026, it emerged that Muhammad Bilal Ghauri had uploaded and disseminated material through his social media accounts.
According to the agency, this included a post on X (formerly Twitter) published on September 5, 2026, at 1:22 a.m., and a 16-minute-and-six-second video uploaded to YouTube on the same day concerning the appointment of the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA).
The NCCIA stated that, prima facie, the material contained claims and allegations regarding the process and circumstances surrounding the appointment of NACTA’s National Coordinator, which were broadcast and disseminated to the public through information systems.
The agency alleged that the accused had intentionally created, uploaded, transmitted and disseminated a false narrative through social media platforms. It further claimed that the information was false, misleading and presented without any legal, factual or independently verified basis, and that it could result in public disorder or unrest, or damage public trust in state institutions and public officials.
According to the NCCIA, the content available on YouTube and X prima facie disclosed cognizable offences under Sections 20 and 26-A of the PECA 2016. The agency stated that the competent authority had granted permission to register an FIR, following which a case was registered against Ghauri.
Arrest
The accused was arrested on September 6, 2026. The agency stated that five days of physical remand — three days followed by two days — had been granted and had ended today.
The NCCIA told the court that the primary social media account had been recovered, but other linked social media accounts and digital devices allegedly used in the commission of the offence were yet to be recovered. It sought a further five days of physical remand for the recovery of the remaining digital evidence, forensic examination and completion of the investigation.
The court, however, rejected the request for further physical remand.
FIR details
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) registered a case against senior journalist and columnist Muhammad Bilal Ghauri under the PECA Act.
The FIR was registered at the Cyber Crime Reporting Centre, Islamabad, on behalf of the state on the complaint of Technical Assistant Muhammad Umair Warsi.
According to FIR No. 143/2026, following the completion of Inquiry No. 2532/2026, it emerged that Ghauri had uploaded and shared material on his social media accounts, including X and YouTube, on September 5, 2026, concerning the appointment process of the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA).
The case was registered under amended Sections 20 and 26-A of the PECA 2016.
The FIR alleges that Ghauri shared false, misleading and unverified content on social media without legal proof, which, according to the agency, was intended to undermine state institutions and public officials, damage public trust and create unrest.
The inquiry report refers to the post published on X on September 5 and the 16-minute-and-six-second YouTube video.
Journalistic career
Bilal Ghauri formally began his journalistic career in print media and has been associated with journalism for more than a decade.
He was a regular columnist for Pakistan’s renowned Urdu-language newspaper, *Daily Jang*, where his articles focused on national politics, the economy and social issues. He also served as a columnist for the English-language daily *The Nation*. His columns have also been published in other major Urdu newspapers and news websites.
Digital journalism
Following increasing censorship and restrictions on traditional media, Ghauri turned to digital journalism. He launched his YouTube channel and later founded the digital platform OutlineNews, where he serves as a senior anchor and produces video blogs (vlogs) on current affairs and political analysis.
His vlogs gained popularity for their analysis of Pakistan’s political leadership, military, foreign policy and government affairs.
Ghauri has also worked as a reporter and anchor for TV Today and Royal News.
Due to his independent analysis and journalistic stance, he has faced several challenges and legal actions.
Previously, while travelling to Bangladesh, Ghauri was taken into custody at Karachi Airport. The FIA subsequently released a photograph showing him handcuffed. Ghauri later stated in an X post that he had been stopped due to a technical error but was subsequently allowed to proceed and travelled to cover the Bangladesh elections.
Reaction from journalist organisations
The Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) has strongly condemned Ghauri’s arrest, describing it as “state terrorism” and an attack on press freedom.
The RIUJ demanded his immediate release and warned that it would launch a full-scale protest movement if he was not released.
According to the RIUJ, the NCCIA registered the case within hours of Ghauri’s vlog without fulfilling the required legal procedures. The union further alleged that his house was raided in the middle of the night and that he was arrested shortly after the FIR was registered.
RIUJ leadership said the incident reflected the state of press freedom and freedom of expression in Pakistan and highlighted the conditions under which journalists operate in the country.
In a statement, the union said that if the journalism of moderate, soft-spoken and fact-based journalists such as Ghauri could not be tolerated by the government, the rulers should reflect on their style of governance.
Speaking to Voicepk, former PFUJ Secretary Nasir Zaidi said the PECA law should be abolished, arguing that it was being used as a weapon against journalists.
Zaidi said the case against Ghauri had been created solely to silence him and claimed that the FIR failed to clarify the basis on which the case had been framed.
He also alleged that no proper inquiry had been conducted and described the PECA Act as a “black law”.
“No amount of condemnation for Bilal Ghauri’s arrest is enough,” Zaidi said, adding that such actions were tarnishing Pakistan’s image worldwide.
On the occasion of Ghauri’s court appearance, senior journalists also reached the courtroom to express solidarity with him. The journalists said they believed Ghauri was being subjected to victimisation and that a baseless case was being pursued against him.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) have also condemned the action against Ghauri.