Signal Pakistan's Cyber Crime Agency Summons Journalist Asad Ali Toor Under PECA Over Alleged Fake Information

Summary

Pakistan's National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) issued a same-day summons to journalist and vlogger Asad Ali Toor on August 4, 2026, directing him to appear in connection with an inquiry into alleged dissemination of 'false information' under Section 26A of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, The Express Tribune reported. Toor was summoned under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and given under 24 hours to respond to the allegations. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) subsequently directed the NCCIA to provide Toor with specific details of the allegations against him, offering a degree of procedural protection. Pakistan's National Press Club strongly condemned the summons as 'a disturbing example of an attempt to pressure the fundamental rights of press freedom and freedom of expression.' International civil society organization Article 19 sent a formal letter to Pakistan's prime minister condemning the NCCIA's actions and broader press freedom crackdown. Toor has separately challenged the NCCIA notice in the Islamabad High Court.