Talat Hussain says offensive viral clip was edited out, not aired on Samaa TV
November 04, 2025: Talat Hussain denies airing the viral clip showing Sher Afzal Marwat’s vulgar remark, saying it was not part of his Samaa TV show.
JournalismPakistan.com | Published 4 years ago
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD—The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has summoned journalist and YouTuber Asad Ali Toor in an inquiry about 'defamation of state institution' on social media.
The FIA Cyber Crime Reporting Center in Rawalpindi has reportedly sent a notice titled 'Order for attendance under Section 160 CrPC for recording of statement,' to the journalist's Islamabad residence.
According to the notice, FIA Cyber Crime Rawalpindi is currently conducting an inquiry regarding "defamation of institution of Government of Pakistan through social media" in response to a complaint by Fayyaz Mehmood Raja, a Rawalpindi resident.
However, the notice dated May 31 does not name the institution.
Raja, in his complaint to the FIA, stated that he watched Toor's video on social media on May 27, "where the journalist had leveled allegations against state institutions."
"Asad Toor is working under an organized conspiracy to defame state institutions," the complainant alleged. He also called for legal action against Toor and the closure of his YouTube channel.
"The available facts suggest that you are well aware of the facts/circumstances of said inquiry," the FIA notice read, requiring the journalist to appear before the FIA on June 4 at 11:00 am.
The notice said criminal proceedings could be initiated against the journalist in case of non-compliance.
November 04, 2025: Talat Hussain denies airing the viral clip showing Sher Afzal Marwat’s vulgar remark, saying it was not part of his Samaa TV show.
November 03, 2025: PFUJ recalls November 3, 2007, as Pakistan’s darkest day under Musharraf, urging protection for journalists and the abolition of laws threatening press freedom.
November 02, 2025: PFUJ urges Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments to end Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists and ensure their safety and press freedom.
November 02, 2025: Impunity for crimes against journalists deepens worldwide as Pakistan reports a 60 percent surge in attacks and weak enforcement of safety laws.
November 01, 2025: Pakistan Press Foundation reports 137 attacks on journalists in 2025, highlighting rising threats, legal harassment, and censorship on the International Day to End Impunity.
November 01, 2025: A viral Samaa TV clip featuring MNA Sher Afzal Marwat’s crude remarks and Talat Hussain’s laughter raises questions about the declining ethics of Pakistani television.
October 31, 2025: Police foiled a plot to kill DawnNewsTV journalist Tahir Naseer in Rawalpindi after arresting suspects hired for Rs200,000. Naseer says threats followed his reporting.
October 31, 2025: CPJ calls on Pakistan to bring Imtiaz Mir’s killers to justice after the journalist was allegedly murdered by a banned militant group in Karachi.
November 04, 2025 Journalist Rana Ayyub receives death threats over calls demanding a column on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots as CPJ urges swift action to protect journalists in India.
November 04, 2025 TV8 journalist Mariana Rata in Moldova receives a death threat after interviewing politician Renato Usatii on-air, raising concerns about journalist safety.
November 03, 2025 Global journalist unions condemn the Indonesian agriculture minister’s lawsuit against Tempo, calling it a threat to press freedom and demanding that the case be withdrawn.
November 02, 2025 Independent outlet All About Macau to halt print and online operations amid rising pressure, financial strain, and legal threats, sparking press freedom concerns in the city.
November 01, 2025 Belarus court jails journalist Siarhei Chabotska for extremism and defaming the president, highlighting Minsk’s ongoing crackdown on press freedom.