LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has summoned columnist Taufeeq Butt for June 19 for allegedly defaming bureaucrats.

The editor of a local daily that carried the column of Butt has also been summoned for the same day.

The NCCIA is moved on a complaint of Babar Aman Babar.

According to the complainant, Butt, in his column, has used the expression “bureau-corrupts” for bureaucrats, which is derogatory, demeaning and defamatory in nature and has injured the reputation and public standing of the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) and its officers. Earlier, three media persons tendered an unconditional apology for allegedly defaming Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman on social media on so-called extension or renovation of his official residence.

According to Usama Khawar advocate, the NCCIA notice to Mr Butt was a clear violation of a judgment of the Islamabad High Court, which held that “there is no defamation of an institution.” He said the IHC had struck down Section 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), which had expanded the scope of defamation to include criticism of public functionaries and state institutions. He added that free speech could not be curtailed under the guise of defamation.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2026