Case Update Status

N/A

Summary of Case

On July 29, 2025, Dawn News correspondent Muhammad Akbar Notezai was issued a notice by National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), requiring him to appear before the agency on August 4, 2025, in connection with a defamation complaint filed by Tufail Ahmed Baloch, the complainant. The notice pertains to an investigative report Notezai published over a year ago, probing allegations of administrative mismanagement and corruption in Balochistan. A notice was issued on July 29, 2025, by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to Muhammad Akbar Notezai, requiring him to appear before the agency on August 4, 2025. The notice was related to an inquiry into a defamatory article allegedly published by Notezai against Tufail Ahmed Baloch, the complainant under enquiry no 349/254. According to the notice, Notezai is directed to appear in person at the NCCIA Cybercrime Reporting Center in Quetta to record his version in his defense. It was stated in the notice that failure to comply may lead to assumptions that he has no defense to present, and non-compliance is punishable under Section 174 of the Pakistan Penal Code 1860. A copy of the notice is attached. Speaking to PPF, Dawn News correspondent from Quetta, Yahya Khan, stated that "the notice issued to renowned journalist Muhammad Akbar Notezai by the FIA's cybercrime wing is deeply concerning and disturbing. Khan said that this development reflects a troubling trend in Pakistan where digital security laws are being used to stifle freedom of expression. Notezai's investigative reporting has been a beacon of truth, shedding light on critical issues affecting the masses, particularly in Balochistan. Summoning him for a story published over a year ago appears to be a targeted move against his commendable work. According to Khan, Journalism is a vital profession that amplifies the voices of the voiceless and underrepresented. Independent journalism plays a crucial role in highlighting public issues and bridging the gap between the government and the people. Targeting journalists for doing their job sends a chilling message that telling the truth is not welcome in our society. Bureau Chief of Dawn News Quetta, Shahid Saleem, strongly condemned the notice sent to Akbar Notezai, terming it a blatant violation of press freedom and the right to expression. He expressed serious concern that the government is using cybercrime laws to suppress journalists, despite constitutional guarantees under Article 19. Saleem emphasized that such actions demonstrate a clear intent to obstruct journalists from performing their duties and highlighted the misuse of power in taking action without judicial permission and a transparent investigation. He also praised Akbar Notezai as a person of good moral character and noted that the notice pertains to an old story, although the specifics of the matter remain unclear. Saleem affirmed Dawn's commitment to defending press freedom and taking legal action against such notices.

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

Dawn

Date of incident

29

Month

July

Year

2025

Name of affected person

Akbar Notezai

Other affected persons

N/A

Name of affected organization

Dawn

Other affected organizations

N/A

Action by

FIA

City

Quetta

Province

Balochistan

Designation

Correspondent

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 ?: Under probe

Court where case was presented: N/A

Name of prosecuting lawyer: N/A

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: N/A

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) also strongly condemned the notice, calling it a blatant attempt to suppress press freedom and demanding its immediate withdrawal. Similarly, the Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) criticized the use of cybercrime laws to intimidate journalists and vowed to defend press freedom through legal channels.

APNS

No version was recorded

CPNE

According to the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), the action against the journalist “was initiated under the guise of defamation” for a report published on August 26, 2024. CPNE condemned the issuance of the government notice to Notezai. In a joint statement, the CPNE President and Secretary General expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of press freedom in Balochistan and described the notice as a blatant violation of Article 19 of the Constitution.

PBA

No version was recorded

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

Speaking to PPF, Dawn News correspondent from Quetta, Yahya Khan, stated that notice issued to renowned journalist Muhammad Akbar Notezai by the FIA's cybercrime wing is deeply concerning and disturbing. Khan said that this development reflects a troubling trend in Pakistan where digital security laws are being used to stifle freedom of expression. Notezai's investigative reporting has been a beacon of truth, shedding light on critical issues affecting the masses, particularly in Balochistan. Summoning him for a story published over a year ago appears to be a targeted move against his commendable work. According to Khan, Journalism is a vital profession that amplifies the voices of the voiceless and underrepresented. Independent journalism plays a crucial role in highlighting public issues and bridging the gap between the government and the people. Targeting journalists for doing their job sends a chilling message that telling the truth is not welcome in our society. Bureau Chief of Dawn News Quetta, Shahid Saleem, strongly condemned the notice sent to Akbar Notezai, terming it a blatant violation of press freedom and the right to expression. He expressed serious concern that the government is using cybercrime laws to suppress journalists, despite constitutional guarantees under Article 19. Saleem emphasized that such actions demonstrate a clear intent to obstruct journalists from performing their duties and highlighted the misuse of power in taking action without judicial permission and a transparent investigation. He also praised Akbar Notezai as a person of good moral character and noted that the notice pertains to an old story, although the specifics of the matter remain unclear. Saleem affirmed Dawn's commitment to defending press freedom and taking legal action against such notices.

Employer organization

No version was recorded

Press Club Status

Press club 1: Karachi Press Club President Fazil Jamili praised Notezai’s investigative work for its professionalism and integrity, warning that targeting such journalists undermines vital democratic processes. Veteran journalist Mazhar Abbas pointed out the NCCIA’s lack of jurisdiction over published news content, emphasizing that disputes over published material should be resolved through defamation laws, not cybercrime notices.

Press club 2: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) highlighted that such actions foster a climate of fear and called on authorities to respect constitutional protections for freedom of expression.

Press club 3: No version was recorded