Case Update Status

The case is currently under trial, with cross-examination having taken place during September 13, 2025, hearing

Summary of Case

Journalist Shehbaz Rana faced a challenging situation when non-bailable arrest warrants were issued against him on May 27, 2025. The warrants stemmed from a petition filed by FBR officer Shah Bano, who claimed Rana's reporting defamed her. Rana's report was based on an official notification by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which detailed the removal of 25 senior FBR officers due to concerns over their financial integrity and competence. Dawn reported that senior journalist Shahbaz Rana was accused by a loca court in Islamabad of his investigative report based on official records. Despite the report being supported by factual evidence, Rana faced legal action, with an FBR official filing a complaint alleging defamation and scandalous reporting. The trial has been criticized for lacking fair trial requirements, with journalist bodies condemning the proceedings as biased. Representatives of key journalist bodies, including the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists, held an emergency meeting at the National Press Club, strongly condemning the trial of Rana. They announced plans to hold a protest against what they term a biased trial, citing violations of fair trial principles and concerns about journalist safety, as per the report. As per the report of Journalism Pakistan, Rana is facing two cases - a civil defamation suit and a criminal case- related to his reporting on alleged corruption in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The controversy began when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif initiated a government inquiry in 2024, which led to the removal of 25 senior FBR officers. Rana reported on this development, citing the official notification, without naming individual officers. The cases against Rana stem from a petition filed by one of the removed officers, who alleges defamation and claims Rana conspired with the prime minister to tarnish her reputation. Notably, the criminal case also names the prime minister, finance secretary, and other high-ranking officials, yet Rana is the only one indicted so far. The report detailed that on May 27, 2025, non-bailable arrest warrants were issued against him. The next day, police attempted to arrest him from the Express Tribune offices where he works, but he was absent due to a public holiday. Rana appeared voluntarily on May 29 and was formally indicted the same day. On September 13, MJTV interviewed Shahbaz Rana outside the IslamabadDistrict court, and Rana spoke candidly about the defamation proceedings against him. He said that his reporting was grounded in official documents and government decisions, and he insisted that he did not name any individuals in his coverage. He argued that the charges seem aimed at chilling investigative journalism and restricting access to government information. Rana expressed concerns about the legal proceedings against him, stating that he believes the petitioner and the person who admitted the case likely didn't read his story. Rana highlighted a significant flaw in the case, noting that his publisher, editor, and TV co-host weren't included as parties in the proceedings. Rana also underlined the importance of press freedom and urged authorities to apply defamation laws fairly, so as not to silence critical reporting. He provided background on the case, noting that the allegations concern reputational damage connected to government actions, and he maintained that his work relied on verifiable records with the intent to inform the public rather than to malign. Looking ahead, Rana said he would cooperate with the legal process and continue to pursue transparency in governance, expressing confidence that the truth would be revealed through the judicial system. Journalist Shahbaz Rana shared his experience with PPF about facing a defamation case after publishing a story in April 2024. The story revealed the removal of senior FBR officers holding grades 21 and 22 by Prime Minister Shehbaz Shari's decision, without naming individuals. The article was widely circulated across multiple news sites. Following the publication, Rana received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number informing himabout a criminal defamation case. He promptly reported this to his organization. On May 28, Islamabad police arrested him, and a criminal petition was filed by Shah Bano Khan, one of the removed officers. The case, ongoing in the District Court, involves allegations that Rana conspired with the Prime Minister to defame Khan and damage her reputation. Rana's legal team is currently arguing the case, with no preliminary orders passed yet. The Express Tribune published a story, written by its Investigative Journalists, Shehbaz Rana, describing the removal of Federal Board of Revenue Senior Officers by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif The story detailed that PM Shehbaz Shareef took decisive action to reform the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) by removing 25 senior officers from their positions due to concerns over their financial integrity and competence. As reported earlier, the decision, based on input from three intelligence agencies, aims to improve the FBR's efficiency and accountability. The removed officers, holding grades 21 and 22, include top-tier members of the board, chief commissioners, and a former FBR chairman. They will be replaced by officers deemed competent and righteous by the intelligence agencies. The government also initiated the transfer and posting of 25 FBR officers, prioritizing those with good reputations and skills for key positions. The move marked the government's commitment to putting the FBR's house in order and follows the premier's directive to assess FBR officers based on their financial integrity, competence, and public dealings. As per the story, the officers had been categorized into four groups, with the clean and competent ones given top positions, while those deemed tainted or incompetent were sidelined or removed. Express Tribune Director News, Naveed Hussain, also spoke with PPF, stating that the organization is perplexed by the criminal defamation case filed against Rana. The story in question was based on an official notification from the Prime Minister's Office regarding action taken against certain FBR officials, without mentioning any names. Hussain emphasized that the organization will provide all necessary legal support to Rana to defend him in the case.

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

28

Month

May

Year

2025

Name of affected person

Shehbaz Rana

Other affected persons

Prime minister, his finance secretary, and other high-ranking officials.

Name of affected organization

Express Tribune

Other affected organizations

PM office, Finance Ministry, FBR and Intelligence agency.

Action by

FBR former 22-grade senior officer Shah Bano

City

Islamabad

Province

Capital Territory

Designation

Investigative reporter and anchorperson

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 trial

Court where case was presented: Magisterial Court

Name of prosecuting lawyer: N/A

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: The case is currently under trial, with cross-examination having taken place during September 13, 2025, hearing.

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), the Rawalpindi/Islamabad Union of Journalists, and the National Press Club held an emergency meeting to express serious concerns over the unilateral legal action taken against senior journalist Shahbaz Rana. Rana faces civil and criminal cases in a local Islamabad court for his investigative story, which was based on official records and documents. According to the journalist bodies, Rana's report was not only backed by official records but also supported by videos of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, confirming the accuracy of the story. However, despite naming the Prime Minister, Secretary of Finance, Secretary of Home, Secretary of Establishment, and IG Islamabad as parties in the petition, the trial court proceeded with a one-sided trial against Rana without issuing notices to the other accused. PFUJ President Afzal Butt strongly criticized the trial court's actions, terming them a violation of fair trial principles. He demanded that the Islamabad High Court intervene immediately to ensure justice is served. Butt emphasized that denying Rana a fair trial raises questions about the entire justice system and sparks deep concern within the journalist community. The meeting, attended by prominent officials including Tariq Virk, Asif Bashir Chaudhry, Azhar Jatoi, Nayyar Ali, and Mubarak Zeb Khan, concluded with a decision to protest vigorously against the biased trial of Shahbaz Rana. The transcript is attached.

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

Express Tribune Director News, Naveed Hussain, also spoke with PPF, stating that the organization is perplexed by the criminal defamation case filed against Rana. The story in question was based on an official notification from the Prime Minister's Office regarding action taken against certain FBR officials, without mentioning any names. Hussain emphasized that the organization will provide all necessary legal support to Rana to defend him in the case.

Employer organization

No version was recorded

Press Club Status

Press club 1: N/A

Press club 2: N/A

Press club 3: N/A