NCCIA summons journalist Asad Toor under Peca over alleged false information

The National Cyber ​​Crime Investigation Agency on Wednesday issued a notice to renowned journalist Asad Ali Toor, directing him to appear before the agency in connection with an investigation into the alleged spread of “false information”.

According to a notice issued by the NCCIA Cybercrime Reporting Centre, and also shared by the journalist on his X account, Toor was summoned under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in connection with the investigation.

The inquiry related to the alleged dissemination of false or false information under section 26A of the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act (Peca), 2016.

The announcement stated that the NCCIA was conducting an investigation into the matter and identified the complainant as “through the state,” which was recorded on Tuesday.

According to the release, the allegations relate to “alleged dissemination, transmission and/or public display of false/false information”.

The agency directed the journalist to appear in person at the NCCIA Cybercrime Reporting Center on Saturday to record his version in the investigation, while warning that failure to appear without a lawful excuse would be deemed unwilling to provide a defense and the investigation would continue. ex parte.

It further warned that failure to comply with the notice was punishable under Section 174 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), 1860.

The National Press Club (NPC) strongly condemned the announcement, describing it as “a disturbing example of an attempt to suppress the fundamental rights of press freedom and freedom of expression”.

In a statement, the NPC said the constitution guaranteed every citizen, especially journalists, the right to freedom of expression and to carry out their professional duties.

“Subjecting journalists to legal pressure and retaliation for carrying out their professional responsibilities or expressing critical opinions does not bode well for any democratic society,” it added.

The NPC leadership called on the institutions to refrain from putting unnecessary pressure on journalists and to fulfill their responsibilities in accordance with the law, the constitution and basic human rights.

“A free, responsible and secure press is the foundation of a strong democratic system,” the statement said, while demanding an immediate withdrawal of the notice to the journalist.

“We demand that the notice to Asad Ali Toor be withdrawn, that the constitutional and legal rights of journalists be fully respected, and that the authorities refrain from taking measures that may curtail press freedom or create a sense of insecurity among the journalistic community,” the statement concluded.