Hamid Mir defends detained journalist Sohrab Barkat

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 6 days ago |  JP Staff Report

Hamid Mir publicly defends Sohrab Barkat after his airport arrest, questioning institutional double standards and highlighting international concern and legal questions surrounding his detention.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — Veteran Geo News anchor Hamid Mir has taken a robust public stance in defence of detained journalist Sohrab Barkat, accusing powerful interests of using their spokespersons on social media to attack him for exposing what he called double standards by state institutions. Mir posted on X that if Barkat were a criminal, questions remain as to why the United Nations invited him, why Brazil granted him a visa until December 31, and why the FIA gave him a clean chit in court.

Barkat’s supporters and colleagues say Mir’s intervention reflects wider unease in the media community about the circumstances of the arrest and apparent inconsistencies in official actions. Mir also noted that Barkat had been invited to a UN summit on climate change and said the arrest, which occurred at Islamabad airport, contradicted earlier assurances about his travel status.

What Mir and others are saying

In an earlier post, Mir wrote that Barkat was not fleeing the country but had been arrested by FIA in violation of a court order and contrary to a DG FIA statement filed in the Islamabad High Court. Mir published what he described as the FIA’s written statement to the IHC, indicating Barkat’s no-fly status was “not active,” and challenged whether the agency’s actions could be reconciled with that filing.

Freelance journalist Adeel Habib wrote on X that reliable diplomatic sources told him the European Union’s Monitoring Mission, which is visiting Pakistan to review human-rights commitments and assess progress for GSP+ renewal, expressed grave concern over Barkat’s arrest and treatment. According to supporters, EU delegates directly questioned Pakistani officials about who Barkat is and why the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act was being applied to him.

Case details and broader implications

Sohrab Barkat, described by colleagues as an MPhil scholar completing a thesis on climate change and an independent journalist and researcher, was detained at Islamabad airport while reportedly attempting to travel to a UN conference. Supporters say the arrest has attracted international attention and that diplomats viewed the case as a possible indicator of Pakistan’s human-rights environment and respect for freedom of expression.

Legal sources and journalists have highlighted procedural questions: whether proper warrants and court instructions were followed, why travel approvals and visa arrangements existed if criminal allegations were ongoing, and whether cybercrime provisions are being used appropriately against media practitioners. Observers warn that the application of PECA against journalists and researchers risks chilling independent reporting and could have diplomatic repercussions amid GSP+ discussions with the EU.

Background on legal and political context

The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act has been used in several high-profile cases involving online speech and digital publications, prompting debate among rights groups over proportionality and due process. International monitoring missions and press freedom advocates routinely scrutinise the use of cybercrime laws when cases involve journalists, arguing for clear legal standards and safeguards to protect legitimate reporting and academic work.

KEY POINTS:

• Hamid Mir publicly defended Sohrab Barkat and questioned apparent contradictions in state actions
• Barkat was detained at Islamabad Airport while reportedly bound for a UN climate summit
• Mir cited an FIA statement filed in court saying Barkat’s no-fly status was not active
• The EU Monitoring Mission has reportedly expressed concern and asked Pakistani officials questions about the case
• Critics warn the use of PECA against journalists may undermine press freedom and carry diplomatic consequences

PHOTO: Image taken from a Voicepk.net interview with Hamid Mir