The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has issued a summons notice to journalist Asad Ali Toor on Wednesday. The agency launched an inquiry into the alleged dissemination of false information by the journalist.
The official notice names the state as the complainant against Asad Ali Toor. According to the document, the state filed the complaint under Section 26A of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA), which penalises the dissemination, transmission, and public exhibition of false or fake information.
The agency directed the journalist to report to the NCCIA Cybercrime Reporting Centre in Islamabad at 11:00 AM on July 31.
The summons warned of direct legal consequences if the journalist fails to attend the scheduled inquiry. “Failure to appear without lawful excuse shall be deemed as your unwillingness to offer any defence, and the inquiry will proceed in your absence,” the NCCIA stated in the notice.
The notice further specified that non-compliance carries penalties under Section 174 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which addresses non-attendance in obedience to an order from a public servant.
Asad Ali Toor confirmed receipt of the summons by posting the notice on X alongside lines of poetry by Faiz Ahmed Faiz. “NCCIA has summoned me on this Friday, July 31, 2026 on the complaint of the state,” Asad Ali Toor posted on X.
The National Press Club (NPC) in Islamabad issued a statement condemning the action taken by the agency, raising concerns about the state of press freedom. “Subjecting journalists to legal pressure and retaliation for performing their professional duties or expressing critical opinions is not a good omen for any democratic society,” the NPC leadership stated.
NPC asserted that freedom of expression remains a constitutional right and urged state institutions to operate strictly within legal, constitutional, and fundamental human rights frameworks.
“Free, responsible and safe journalism is the foundation of a strong democratic system,” the NPC stated.
The organisation demanded the immediate withdrawal of the notice and called on authorities to respect the constitutional and legal rights of media personnel. The press club cautioned that actions restricting press freedom create widespread insecurity within the journalism community.
Authorities previously arrested Asad Ali Toor in 2024 under PECA provisions for running a campaign against state institutions. That arrest drew widespread criticism from media fraternity groups before authorities eventually released the journalist.
