Case Update Status

Protest was held by the Peshawar Press Club, Khan announced to present before the NCCIA

Summary of Case

Bureau Chief of Azaad Digital Peshawar, Vice President of Peshawar Press Club, & former host current affairs show on Mashriq TV, Irfan Khan, was issued a notice by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Circle Peshawar on August 21, 2025, requiring him to appear before the Deputy Director, alleging Khan published false, defamatory, and abusive content against the government on social media. According to the call-up notice issued to Irfan Khan on August 21, 2025, by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) Circle Peshawar. Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Secretary Establishment, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, filed a complaint alleging that Irfan Khan published false, defamatory, and abusive content on social media against the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to the notice, the allegations reportedly constitute offenses under Sections 20 and 26-A of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016 (as Amended), and other applicable provisions of law. The notice directed Khan to appear in person before the Deputy Director NCCIA Circle Peshawar on August 25, 2025, at Lawargini Flats near MM Academy, Abdara Road, University Town, Peshawar. On August 13, Khan on X exposed the alleged breach of merit in the appointment of deputy commissioners in three KP districts, leveling criticism against the authorities, including the Secretary Establishment, for violating merit-based appointments. Khan alleged that lucrative positions for Deputy Commissioners in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Malakand, Karak, and Laki Marwat districts are being sold for Rs 1.5 to 2.5 crore. According to Khan, preparations are underway to appoint a Grade 20 officer who has previously served as Deputy Commissioner five times to the position again, potentially with a notification expected soon. Khan criticized this move as a violation of merit-based appointments, questioning the authority of the Secretary of Establishment in this matter. Khan responded defiantly to a notice on X stating that if discussing corruption is considered an insult or violation by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government or bureaucrats, he will continue to highlight these issues. Khan accused the government of hiding behind authority, specifically targeting the Secretary of Establishment. He vowed not only to respond to the notice under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) but also to expose past corruption incidents. Speaking to PPF on August 26, Irfan Khan alleged that the appointment of Deputy Commissioners in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts of Karak, Laki Marwat, and Malakand involves "white-collar crime" where positions are being bought and sold for hefty sums, ranging from Rs 1.5 to 2.5 crore. Khan claimed that individuals who have already served five times in such positions are being reappointed, bypassing deserving candidates. Khan said that he had shared a post about this issue, highlighting the Secretary of Establishment's role in the appointment process. Following this, Asad Sarwar was appointed as Deputy Commissioner in Karak on August 16, and Hameedullah was appointed in Laki Marwat on August 18, as they were supposed to be posted, and it happened that way. However, the Malakand district seat remains vacant. After sharing the post, Khan received a notice from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) through its Assistant Director Zainullah on WhatsApp on August 20, alleging that he shared false, defamatory, and abusive content against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. Khan stated that those supporting him and raising their voices for him are also implicated in the notice. He is scheduled to record his statement at the NCCIA office, said Khan. KHUJ announced a protest on August 26, 2025, against the provincial government's decision to take action under the PECA Act against senior journalist and Vice President of Peshawar Press Club, Irfan Khan, to be held in front of the Peshawar Press Club. GNN TV reporter from Peshawar, Kamran Shah, told PPF that Irfan Khan had done a story about gold mines in Kohat. According to Shah, the story claimed that contracts in those mines were being given to Aftab Alam, a contractor who had a significant part in manipulating the resources. Shah mentioned that Khan often does stories on such issues. Because of this particular story, a motion was brought against Khan in the assembly, and he was presented before a committee. Shah further stated that since Khan’s stories involve disclosures about government-related matters using strong and credible sources, the government appears to be taking action against Khan.

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

PPF safety monitors

Date of incident

21

Month

August

Year

2025

Name of affected person

Irfan Khan

Other affected persons

N/A

Name of affected organization

Azaad Digital Peshawar

Other affected organizations

Mashriq TV and Peshawar Press Club

Action by

NCCIA

City

Peshawar

Province

KP

Designation

Bureau Chief Journalist, Former host of a current affairs show & VP of Press Club Peshawar

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 ?: No

Court where case was presented: Matter was not presented before any court

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Matter was not presented before any court

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: Matter was not presented before any court

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

Not condemned

APNS

Not condemned

CPNE

Not condemned

PBA

Not condemned

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

GNN TV reporter from Peshawar, Kamran Shah, told PPF that Irfan Khan had done a story about gold mines in Kohat. According to Shah, the story claimed that contracts in those mines were being given to Aftab Alam, a contractor who had a significant part in manipulating the resources. Shah mentioned that Khan often does stories on such issues. Because of this particular story, a motion was brought against Khan in the assembly, and he was presented before a committee. Shah further stated that since Khan’s stories involve disclosures about government-related matters using strong and credible sources, the government appears to be taking action against Khan.

Employer organization

N/A

Press Club Status

Press club 1: KHUJ announced a protest on August 26, 2025, against the provincial government's decision to take action under the PECA Act against senior journalist and Vice President of Peshawar Press Club, Irfan Khan, to be held in front of the Peshawar Press Club.

Press club 2: No version was recorded

Press club 3: No version was recorded