ISLAMABAD: A local court of Islamabad on Tuesday remanded custody of vlogger Asad Ali Toor to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for five days in connection with the case related to an online campaign against the judiciary and state institutions.

According to the FIR, Toor was booked under Section 9, 10 and 24 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca).

It stated that Toor “built a false narrative and started malicious, obnoxious and explicit campaign intentionally and publicly against the modesty of civil servants, government officials and state institutions.”

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed concerns over the arrest and demanded his immediate release.

The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) also expressed concerns over Toor’s arrest, in a post on X.

“NCHR is deeply concerned by the arrest of journalist Asad Toor. The PECA law is a problematic law that needs thorough review. Freedom of speech and information is a fundamental right which must be upheld at all costs.”

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2024