FIA summons Sami Ibraham under Section 20 of PECA

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published May 08, 2022

ISLAMABAD—The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has booked BOL News anchor Sami Ibrahim under contentious sections of the notorious Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016 law.

According to the notice dated May 7, shared by the anchor on social media, FIA has summoned him under Section 20, which criminalized defamation, declaring that his video “spread false and frivolous allegations on senior government functionaries.”

“You have built a narrative with an ill-intent to cause intimidation, fear, panic, insecurity and unrest between government officials/personnel of armed forces and general public,” it read.

Section 20 of the law increased the prison term for social media users convicted of disseminating “fake news” from two to five years. It also made it mandatory for courts to decide such cases within six months.

However, Ibraham took to Twitter, saying, “My lawyer Raja Aamir Abbas has informed the agency that I’m out of the country and will take necessary legal action after May 14.”

Ibraham has been critical of the government and the military establishment, having raised his voice against the “imposition” of the government of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) component parties on Pakistan.

In a recent video, he had criticized the top military brass for its purported meddling in civilian affairs and aiding the process of the no-confidence vote against ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Journalist unions condemned the summon, including the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). They wondered how the agency could invoke a section struck down by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

On April 9, the high court declared the Prevention of Elect­ronic Crimes (Amendment) Ordinance unconstitutional and scrapped Section 20 of the original law introduced by the PML-N government in 2016.

Before Ibraham’s case, FIA also filed a petition in the Supreme Court to challenge the IHC order, which declared the amended PECA Section 20 as ‘unconstitutional. ‘ However, Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, in a prompt response, announced withdrawing the petition filed by FIA.

Photo: Twitter (@samiabrahim)

From JournalismPakistan.com archives:

Sami Ibrahim appointed president and managing director of BOL News

Court declares PECA 'unconstitutional'

Court hands journalist Waheed Murad to FIA on two-day physical remand

 March 26, 2025:  A district court in Islamabad granted the FIA a two-day physical remand of journalist Waheed Murad. He was arrested under the PECA Act for sharing a report by exiled journalist Ahmad Noorani on social media. His arrest involved armed men in black uniforms, according to his family.

Gandapur promises to honor journalism hero Arshad Sharif

 March 25, 2025:  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has promised to name a journalism department in an educational institution after slain journalist Arshad Sharif. This follows a suggestion by analyst Ather Kazmi during an interview.

Pakistan's crackdown on journalism: IFJ demands Farhan Mallick's immediate release

 March 25, 2025:  The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has condemned the arrest of Karachi journalist Farhan Mallick, founder of Raftar, demanding his immediate release. The PFUJ has also denounced the case, calling it an attack on press freedom in Pakistan.

'Who will be responsible if my sons are harmed?' mother pleads in court

 March 24, 2025:  Who will be responsible if my sons are harmed?" cries a mother in Islamabad High Court, pleading for justice after her sons' alleged abduction. The court summons the IG police over the alleged kidnapping. The family claims intelligence agencies are involved.

Puppet Press: How Pakistan's media sold its soul to the highest bidder

 March 24, 2025:  Explore the 10 critical reasons why Pakistan's legacy media continues to disappoint, from political bias and corporate influence to digital transition failures and unsustainable business models in Pakistani journalism.

State as judge: Dawn criticizes Farhan Mallick’s arrest under PECA

 March 22, 2025:  The arrest of journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick under PECA violations has sparked concerns over press freedom in Pakistan. Digital rights activists warn of increasing state suppression.

Outrage as Geo security guards attack workers protesting unpaid wages

 March 21, 2025:  Geo Group’s security guards allegedly led an assault on protesting journalists in Islamabad, dismantling their camp and threatening them. The hypocrisy of a media giant advocating press freedom while suppressing its workers is exposed.

CPJ urges Pakistan to reveal whereabouts of missing journalist and Noorani's brothers

 March 21, 2025:  CPJ demands Pakistani authorities reveal the whereabouts of journalist Asif Karim Khehtran and the abducted brothers of US-based journalist Ahmad Noorani, condemning the ongoing media crackdown.