Case Update Status

Case has not presented before the court yet.

Summary of Case

On June 19, Fayyaz Ali Noor, a freelancer in Peshawar, received a legal notice from Zeeshan Abdullah, Deputy Commissioner of Lakki Marwat, after Noor exposed Abdullah's alleged previous misconduct during his tenure as Director of the Transport Department in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The notice was related to Noor's investigative report on the fake international driving license scandal. According to Freedom Network, Fayyaz Ali Noor, a freelance journalist, faced a defamation notice for his June 17, 2025, report on fake driving licenses allegedly linked to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Transport Department. Although his report didn't mention specific officials, the Deputy Commissioner deemed it "damaging" and served him a Rs. 10 million notice via WhatsApp. The notice accused Noor of spreading false information and demanded an apology. Fayyaz Ali Noor spoke to PPF on September 16, detailing his experiences as a vocal journalist. Noor stated that he has consistently spoken out against injustices and malpractice in both government and non-government departments, as well as within press institutes. This has made him vulnerable to backlash. Recently, Noor investigated and exposed the KP Transport Department's malpractice regarding the issuance of international driving licenses online without proper testing and examination. He also revealed that the department was running a duplicate website for registration, allegedly for pecuniary benefits, after receiving funding from the Australian High Commission. Following his report, Noor received a WhatsApp message from Advocate Aman Gandapuri, serving him a Rs. 10 million defamation notice on behalf of Zeeshan Abdullah, the Director of the KP Transport Department (who has since become Deputy Commissioner). Noor responded to the notice, suggesting that rather than going to court, it would be better to discuss the issue and present evidence. However, Abdullah refused to meet, and Noor has not received any court summons yet. Noor also faced opposition from fellow journalists, reportedly due to his efforts to establish a Tehsil Press Club, which he chairs. The club aims to seek recognition from other press institutes, such as KHUJ TUJ, and collaborate to support journalists in local areas who face difficulties in accessing main bodies based in Peshawar. In a separate incident, Noor's WhatsApp account was blocked after fellow journalists reported him, and he is unable to access his account or restore backups, since long, added Noor. On June 17, Noor broke a story on Facebook, exposing a fake international driving license scandal in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to Noor's report, a key player in the scandal, Murad Ali, was arrested, but the main culprit remained at large. The scandal came to light after the governments of Australia and Hong Kong sent lists of hundreds of licenses to Pakistani authorities for verification. An investigation revealed that these licenses were fake, and Pakistan faced severe international embarrassment. Noor's report highlighted several shocking revelations, including: - Licenses issued to minors and unrelated persons and to people who had never been to Pakistan. It was revealed that the licenses were issued from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to citizens of other provinces, indicating Loopholes in the system allowed a market for forgery to thrive. The report also implicated several government officials and agents, including some from the Transport Directorate. However, only low-level officials had been targeted so far, while the masterminds remained at large. Noor's story raised questions about the role of Deputy Commissioner Lakki Marwat, Zeeshan Abdullah in the scandal. It was alleged that Abdullah's role was suspicious, and some important links were connected to him. However, no formal action had been taken against him yet. The story concluded by noting that junior officials were being made scapegoats to protect the real culprits On June 19, 2025, Noor received a legal notice from Arshad Aman Gandapur, Advocate, on behalf of Zeeshan Abdullah, Deputy Commissioner, Lakki Marwat. The notice accuses Noor of spreading false and malicious news about Abdullah, alleging that his actions have caused harm to Abdullah's reputation, honor, and dignity. According to the notice, Noor's actions constitute offenses punishable under the Defamation Ordinance, 2002, and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016. The notice demands that Noor take immediate action to rectify the situation. Specifically, it requires him to cease and desist from publishing or circulating any further false news related to Abdullah. Additionally, Noor is directed to issue an unconditional public apology to Abdullah on the same WhatsApp channel and all social media platforms where the defamatory news was published, within seven days of receiving the notice. Furthermore, Noor must remove and delete all defamatory content related to Abdullah from all platforms and provide written confirmation of compliance. The notice warned Noor that if he fails to comply with these demands within the stipulated time, Abdullah reserves the right to initiate civil and criminal legal proceedings against him, seeking damages amounting to Rs. 10 million, along with all costs, risks, and consequences thereof. Noor, on June 20, responded to the legal notice served by Deputy Commissioner Lakki Marwat and former Director Transport Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Zeeshan Abdullah. Noor categorically rejected the allegations, stating that his report was based on solid evidence and official documents. Noor emphasized that his journalistic work is protected under Article 19-A of the Constitution of Pakistan, which guarantees the fundamental right to access information and express opinions, particularly on matters of public interest. He also asserted that he hasn't violated any provisions of PEMRA's Code of Conduct, Defamation Ordinance, or the Electronic Crimes Act 2016. Furthermore, Noor reserved the right to take counter-legal action against what he perceives as harassment and misuse of the legal process. Copy is attached. On August 26, Noor shared an update on Facebook, informing his followers that his old WhatsApp Business had been temporarily disabled. He requested that all future messages be directed to his new number, which he would be using for journalistic and personal communication until his old number is reactivated. Former GS KHUJ, Nasir Hussain's statement to PPF regarding the Fayyaz Ali Noor case highlights concerns about press freedom and the implications of defamation laws on journalists in Pakistan. According to Hussain, Fayyaz Ali Noor was sent a WhatsApp message after his investigative report on issues related to travel licenses, backed by documents. Despite complaining about the matter, Noor faced challenges, including the department's failure to provide a formal legal notice. Kashifuddin, President of the Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ), spoke to PPF about Noor, alleging that Noor isn't a legitimate journalist. According to Kashifuddin, Noor's background involves providing advertisements to newspapers like Naway e Wqt, and he has since shifted to spreading misinformation on social media, reportedly resorting to blackmail. Kashifuddin also claimed that Noor started his own press club without proper legality. Press Club President Peshawar M. Riaz stated that issuing a legal notice is a standard legal procedure, as any individual or institution has the right to approach the court if they believe a news report is incorrect. However, he questioned Noor's credibility as a journalist, alleging that Noor circulated information on personal social media groups rather than through reputable media outlets. Riaz further accused Noor of being a habitual blackmailer who misuses journalism for personal gain and notoriety. He expressed disappointment that institutions like the PPF promote such individuals, undermining ethical journalism.

Category of Incident

Legal Action

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: N/A

ICCS Group: N/A

ICCS Class: N/A

ICCS Crime: N/A

Reported By

Freedom Network

Date of incident

19

Month

June

Year

2025

Name of affected person

Fayyaz Ali Noor

Other affected persons

N/A

Name of affected organization

Social Media ( Facebook)

Other affected organizations

N/A

Action by

Deputy Commissioner and Former Director of Transport Department, KP, Zeeshan Abdullah

City

Peshawar

Province

KP

Designation

Freelancer

Professional category

Journalist

Age of victim

N/A

Marital Status

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: N/A

Date of compensation announcement by government: N/A

Date of compensation paid by government: N/A

Amount of compensation announced by others: N/A

Date of compensation announced by others: N/A

Date compensation paid by others: N/A

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: No

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: N/A

Court where case was presented: Not yet presented in court

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Not yet presented in court

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: Not yet presented in court

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

No version was recorded

APNS

No version was recorded

CPNE

No version was recorded

PBA

No version was recorded

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

No version was recorded

Employer organization

No version was recorded

Press Club Status

Press club 1: Press Club President Peshawar M. Riaz stated that issuing a legal notice is a standard legal procedure, as any individual or institution has the right to approach the court if they believe a news report is incorrect. However, he questioned Noor's credibility as a journalist, alleging that Noor circulated information on personal social media groups rather than through reputable media outlets. Riaz further accused Noor of being a habitual blackmailer who misuses journalism for personal gain and notoriety. He expressed disappointment that institutions like the PPF promote such individuals, undermining ethical journalism.

Press club 2: Kashifuddin, President of the Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ), spoke to PPF about Noor, alleging that Noor isn't a legitimate journalist. According to Kashifuddin, Noor's background involves providing advertisements to newspapers like Naway e Wqt, and he has since shifted to spreading misinformation on social media, reportedly resorting to blackmail. Kashifuddin also claimed that Noor started his own press club without proper legality.

Press club 3: Former GS KHUJ, Nasir Hussain's statement to PPF regarding the Fayyaz Ali Noor case highlights concerns about press freedom and the implications of defamation laws on journalists in Pakistan. According to Hussain, Fayyaz Ali Noor was sent a WhatsApp message after his investigative report on issues related to travel licenses, backed by documents. Despite complaining about the matter, Noor faced challenges, including the department's failure to provide a formal legal notice.