Balochistan journalists protest FIR against editor
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 19 February 2026 | JP Staff Report
Join our WhatsApp channel
BUJ expressed concern after an FIR was filed against Agha Obaid, editor and YouTuber, over a video on the Excise Department, and demanded a transparent, impartial probe. The union urged Provincial Minister Muhammad Khan Lahri and senior officials to take notice.Summary
QUETTA — The Balochistan Union of Journalists has expressed concern over the registration of a First Information Report against Agha Obaid, chief editor of local newspaper Olas News and a YouTuber, following the publication of a video related to the provincial Excise Department.
In a statement issued in Quetta, BUJ President Manzoor Ahmed Rind and General Secretary Shah Hussain Tareen said the case was registered by an official of the Excise Department under allegations including interference in official matters. The union said the timing of the FIR, after the circulation of a video concerning the department, raises questions that warrant transparent scrutiny.
Concerns over retaliation after the video report
The BUJ leadership stated that the case creates an impression of pressure being exerted on the journalist in response to his reporting. They called for a transparent and impartial investigation and urged authorities to ensure that Agha Obaid is granted full legal rights to present his defense.
The union emphasized that if officials of the Excise Department possess evidence supporting the allegations, it should be presented through due legal process. It added that any discriminatory treatment or retaliatory action against media professionals would undermine confidence in institutional accountability.
Call for provincial authorities to intervene
The journalists’ body has urged Provincial Minister for Excise Muhammad Khan Lahri, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, Balochistan, and the Secretary for Excise and Taxation, Balochistan, to take notice of the matter. It called for due process, adherence to legal standards, and fairness in handling cases involving members of the media.
The FIR reportedly includes charges linked to alleged interference in official duties, though specific sections of the law have not been publicly detailed in the BUJ statement. There was no immediate public response from the Excise Department at the time of publication.
WHY THIS MATTERS: Cases involving criminal complaints against journalists over reporting can have a chilling effect on local investigative work, particularly in provinces where media resources are limited. For Pakistani newsrooms and digital content creators, the incident underscores the importance of legal preparedness, documentation of reporting processes, and collective advocacy through professional bodies.
ATTRIBUTION: This report is based on a publicly issued statement by the Balochistan Union of Journalists in Quetta.
PHOTO: Agha Obaid/X (@awaheedmurad); used with credit to the original account.
Key Points
- The Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) protested the registration of an FIR against Agha Obaid, chief editor of Olas News and a YouTuber.
- An Excise Department official lodged an FIR, alleging interference in official matters after a related video circulated.
- BUJ called for a transparent, impartial investigation and insisted that Obaid be allowed full legal rights to defend himself.
- The union urged authorities, including the excise minister and senior home and taxation officials, to take notice and oversee the process.
- BUJ said any evidence should be presented through the legal process and warned that retaliation against the media undermines accountability.
Key Questions & Answers
Why has the BUJ raised concerns?
The union says the timing of the FIR, coming after a video about the Excise Department, creates an impression of pressure on the journalist and warrants transparent scrutiny.
Who is Agha Obaid?
Agha Obaid is the chief editor of local newspaper Olas News and a YouTuber; he is the subject of the registered FIR related to a video concerning the Excise Department.
What does the BUJ want from authorities?
BUJ demands a transparent, impartial investigation, full legal rights for Obaid to present his defense, and that any evidence be submitted through proper legal channels.
Which officials did the union urge to intervene?
The union called on Provincial Minister for Excise Muhammad Khan Lahri, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, and the Secretary for Excise and Taxation to take notice.
Relevant Topics
Ask AI: Understand this story your way
AI EnabledDig deeper, ask anything — get instant context, background, and clarity.
Disclaimer: This feature is powered by AI and is intended to help readers explore and understand news stories more easily. While we strive for accuracy, AI-generated responses may occasionally be incomplete or reflect limitations in the underlying model. This feature does not represent the editorial views of JournalismPakistan. For our full, verified reporting, please refer to the original article.
