Case Update Status

The matter is under trail

Summary of Case

On July 29, News Coordinator PTV Multan, Iftikhar Ul Hassan, faced an FIR filed by the Vehari administration. The complaint, lodged by Chief Officer Naeem Khalid, cited Section 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) for his social media post criticizing the Municipal Committee's actions against the Grand City Housing Scheme in Vehari district, Punjab. Digital Rights Foundation suggested that following journalist Iftikhar Ul Hassan's social media post on July 29, 2025, regarding the Vehari administration's actions against the Grand City Housing Scheme, the administration filed a First Information Report (FIR) against him. The FIR was registered by Chief Officer Naeem Khalid under Section 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). FIR# 805/25 was lodged at Police Station Danewal District Vehari on July 29, 2025, filed by Muhammad Naeem Khalid, Chief Officer of Municipal Committee Vehari, against journalist Iftikhar-ul-Hassan under Sections 20, 24, and 27 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016. The complaint alleges that Iftikhar-ul-Hassan made fabricated and baseless allegations on social media against the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Officer of Vehari, claiming they were involved in illegal activities against housing schemes. The allegations were deemed damaging to their reputation. On July 18, Hussain appeared on the JRIH YouTube channel, comparing the recent appointments of female deputy commissioners in four Multan districts, including Vehari. He praised female officers' potential to work without corruption, implying that male officers often compromise their duties due to personal connections with visitors. Hussain suggested that men may favor certain individuals or request favors, undermining their role. He indirectly highlighted administrative corruption prior to the female appointments. On August 1, a strong protest was staged by the journalist community, the Young Journalists Association, and civil society outside the Multan Press Club against the Deputy Commissioner Vehari's filing of a baseless FIR against senior journalist Iftikhar Ul Hassan. The protesters condemned the attack on journalism and asserted that journalists would continue to speak truth to power without fear. They demanded the immediate withdrawal of the FIR, which they claimed was filed on personal grounds. The community warned that if their demands weren't met, they would escalate the protest movement. On Oct 13, Iftikhar-ul-Hassan stated to PPF that his report on corruption was later validated when the Anti-Corruption Department made an arrest in connection with the case he had highlighted. Despite this, the Deputy Commissioner of Vehari filed an FIR against him for exposing the corruption, which Hassan claimed was an unjustified move. He emphasized that only the FIA, under the PECA Act, had the authority to take such action, not the Deputy Commissioner. Hussain expressed his frustration, stating that the proceedings were being prolonged with repeated hearings without any progress. He urged the authorities to conclude the matter, saying they could simply declare him guilty if that's what they intended, and finalize the case. Hussain exclaimed, "They're just dragging it out with hearing after hearing, writing nothing. I've had enough. Just write me down as guilty already. Just write it already.” Mubashir Majeed Mirza, District General Secretary of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists from Vehari, spoke to PPF regarding the FIR filed against journalist Iftikhar-ul-Hassan under the PECA Act. Mirza stated that he had studied the matter and found that Iftikhar-ul-Hassan had made a video story exposing corruption involving the Deputy Commissioner and Municipal Committee officials in Vehari. The story led to an Anti-Corruption Department raid, resulting in arrests. Mirza argued that the FIR was unjustified, as Iftikhar-ul-Hassan had reported on corruption with evidence. He emphasized that journalists should not be deterred from reporting on corruption due to fear of FIRs. Mirza praised Iftikhar-ul-Hassan as a dedicated and gentlemanly journalist. The case has been transferred to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Authority (NCCIA), and Mirza expressed frustration that the matter was being prolonged without resolution. He criticized the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Officer for filing the FIR without proof and suggested that they were trying to silence the journalist. Lahore Rang reporter from Vehar Aslam Chaudhry spoke to PPF, stating that an FIR had been lodged against him and Hussain on the same date and at the same police station in connection with their vocal stance against corruption. He claimed that the FIR was filed after Hussain had highlighted corruption issues, including against a Deputy Commissioner. Chaudhry further stated that they were currently facing court proceedings, with their bail being extended every 8-10 days. He expressed his determination to pursue the case while also placing his trust in Allah and the support of the people. Head Constable Faraz ul Huq from Daniwal Police Station in Vehari spoke to PPF on October 15, stating that the case had been transferred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and revealed that no investigation was conducted by the police prior to the transfer. Samaa Head Central Assignment Desk Aqib Maniar, speaking to PPF, clarified that Iftikhar ul Hassan was never the Director of News at SAMAA TV from Vehari. Instead, he was appointed as Editor for South Punjab on a contract basis, which expired in November 2024. Maniar emphasized that Hassan is no longer associated with SAMAA TV, and the organization disclaims any connection to his current activities. Former reporter Ayesha Raffique from PTV Rawalpindi, currently working as a tehsil head in Taxila, in the project of Maryam Nawaz, confirmed PPF that no person named Iftikhar Hussain belongs to PTV News as Director News. The Association of TV Journalists Multan (ATJM), Multan Court Reporters Association (MCRA), and its Legal Action Committee member and President of the High Court Bar, Muhammad Azhar Khan Mughal, strongly condemned the registration of false cases against journalists, particularly the FIR lodged against Iftikhar-ul-Hassan under the PECA Act. They vowed to play an effective legal and constitutional role in ending such cases and advocating against black laws like PECA. The Regional Union of Journalists (RUJ) Pakistan strongly condemned the registration of a case under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) against senior journalist Iftikhar ul Hassan in Vehari. RUJ South Punjab President Yasir Sheikh termed it a direct attack on freedom of expression and an authoritarian approach. He demanded that the Punjab government immediately dismiss the baseless case against Hossain. A political group of individuals (Jahangir Khan Tareen group), including Malik Mumtaz Muhammad Khan Joyia, Kahroor Pakka, strongly condemned the registration of fabricated cases against senior journalist Iftikhar-ul-Hassan under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). They termed these cases an attack on press freedom and demanded their immediate dismissal. The group expressed solidarity with the oppressed journalists, vowing to stand together during this challenging time for journalism. The Pakistan Writers Wing strongly condemned the false case filed against senior journalist Iftikhar ul Hassan, terming it a shameful act. They praised Hassan as a proud of fearless journalist and demanded that the Punjab government dismiss the case and take action against the Deputy Commissioner of Vehari. They warned of intensified protests and "pen-based jihad" if the case isn't dismissed, asserting that the writing and journalism community stands united behind Hussain. Mubashir Majeed Mirza, District General Secretary of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists from Vehari, spoke to PPF regarding the FIR filed against journalist Iftikhar-ul-Hassan under the PECA Act. Mirza stated that he had studied the matter and found that Iftikhar-ul-Hassan had made a video story exposing corruption involving the Deputy Commissioner and Municipal Committee officials in Vehari. The story led to an Anti-Corruption Department raid, resulting in arrests. Mirza argued that the FIR was unjustified, as Iftikhar-ul-Hassan had reported on corruption with evidence. He emphasized that journalists should not be deterred from reporting on corruption due to fear of FIRs. Mirza praised Iftikhar-ul-Hassan as a dedicated and gentlemanly journalist. The case has been transferred to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Authority (NCCIA), and Mirza expressed frustration that the matter was being prolonged without resolution. He criticized the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Officer for filing the FIR without proof and suggested that they were trying to silence the journalist. Speaking to PPF, Vehari Union of Journalists President Dr. Muhammad Irfan Chaudhry expressed strong condemnation over the registration of a case against senior journalist Iftikhar-ul-Hassan under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). In a statement, Chaudhry urged the authorities to withdraw the FIR and advocated for reforms to prevent the misuse of PECA against media professionals. He demanded legal and moral support for the affected journalist. They emphasized that such actions pose serious risks to public interest journalism and urged the PPF to play a proactive role in safeguarding journalists' rights. GS Vehari Press Club Imran Hafeez also expressed his concerns over the Hussain matter, calling the FIR an attack on the free press. He said that Hussain is a senior journalist who always speaks on the rising matters.

Category of Incident

Case Registered

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: N/A

ICCS Group: N/A

ICCS Class: N/A

ICCS Crime: N/A

Reported By

Digital Rights Foundation

Date of incident

29

Month

July

Year

2025

Name of affected person

Iftikhar Hussain

Other affected persons

N/A

Name of affected organization

PTV

Other affected organizations

N/A

Action by

Muhammad Naeem Khalid, Chief Officer of Municipal Committee Vehari

City

Vehari

Province

Punjab

Designation

News Coordinator

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 ?: Yes

Date of FIR:

FIR Details: 805/25

Police station of FIR: Police Station Danewal

Name of complainant: Naeem Khalid, Chief Officer of Municipal Committee Vehari

Name of accused in FIR: Iftikhar-ul-Hassan

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: Under probe

Court where case was presented: The case was transferred to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Authority (NCCIA)

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

Mubashir Majeed Mirza, District General Secretary of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists from Vehari, spoke to PPF regarding the FIR filed against journalist Iftikhar-ul-Hassan under the PECA Act. Mirza stated that he had studied the matter and found that Iftikhar-ul-Hassan had made a video story exposing corruption involving the Deputy Commissioner and Municipal Committee officials in Vehari. The story led to an Anti-Corruption Department raid, resulting in arrests. Mirza argued that the FIR was unjustified, as Iftikhar-ul-Hassan had reported on corruption with evidence. He emphasized that journalists should not be deterred from reporting on corruption due to fear of FIRs. Mirza praised Iftikhar-ul-Hassan as a dedicated and gentlemanly journalist. The case has been transferred to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Authority (NCCIA), and Mirza expressed frustration that the matter was being prolonged without resolution. He criticized the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Officer for filing the FIR without proof and suggested that they were trying to silence the journalist.

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

Lahore Rang reporter from Vehar Aslam Chaudhry spoke to PPF, stating that an FIR had been lodged against him and Hussain on the same date and at the same police station in connection with their vocal stance against corruption. He claimed that the FIR was filed after Hussain had highlighted corruption issues, including against a Deputy Commissioner. Chaudhry further stated that they were currently facing court proceedings, with their bail being extended every 8-10 days. He expressed his determination to pursue the case while also placing his trust in Allah and the support of the people. Samaa Head Central Assignment Desk Aqib Maniar, speaking to PPF, clarified that Iftikhar ul Hassan was never the Director of News at SAMAA TV from Vehari. Instead, he was appointed as Editor for South Punjab on a contract basis, which expired in November 2024. Maniar emphasized that Hassan is no longer associated with SAMAA TV, and the organization disclaims any connection to his current activities. Former reporter Ayesha Raffique from PTV Rawalpindi, currently working as a tehsil head in Taxila, in the project of Maryam Nawaz, confirmed PPF that no person named Iftikhar Hussain belongs to PTV News as Director News. The Association of TV Journalists Multan (ATJM), Multan Court Reporters Association (MCRA), and its Legal Action Committee member and President of the High Court Bar, Muhammad Azhar Khan Mughal, strongly condemned the registration of false cases against journalists, particularly the FIR lodged against Iftikhar-ul-Hassan under the PECA Act. They vowed to play an effective legal and constitutional role in ending such cases and advocating against black laws like PECA. The Regional Union of Journalists (RUJ) Pakistan strongly condemned the registration of a case under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) against senior journalist Iftikhar ul Hassan in Vehari. RUJ South Punjab President Yasir Sheikh termed it a direct attack on freedom of expression and an authoritarian approach. He demanded that the Punjab government immediately dismiss the baseless case against Hossain.

Employer organization

No version was recorded

Press Club Status

Press club 1: Speaking to PPF, Vehari Union of Journalists President Dr. Muhammad Irfan Chaudhry expressed strong condemnation over the registration of a case against senior journalist Iftikhar-ul-Hassan under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). In a statement, Chaudhry urged the authorities to withdraw the FIR and advocated for reforms to prevent the misuse of PECA against media professionals. He demanded legal and moral support for the affected journalist. They emphasized that such actions pose serious risks to public interest journalism and urged the PPF to play a proactive role in safeguarding journalists' rights.

Press club 2: GS Vehari Press Club Imran Hafeez also expressed his concerns over the Hussain matter, calling the FIR an attack on the free press. He said that Hussain is a senior journalist who always speaks on the rising matters.

Press club 3: The Pakistan Writers Wing strongly condemned the false case filed against senior journalist Iftikhar ul Hassan, terming it a shameful act. They praised Hassan as a proud of fearless journalist and demanded that the Punjab government dismiss the case and take action against the Deputy Commissioner of Vehari. They warned of intensified protests and "pen-based jihad" if the case isn't dismissed, asserting that the writing and journalism community stands united behind Hussain.