Journalist Fakhar ur Rehman granted bail in PECA case

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 27 April 2026 |  JP Staff Report

A magistrate granted post-arrest bail to journalist Fakhar ur Rehman in a PECA case by the NCCIA after an FIR named nine people over alleged false posts on X; the court granted bail on Rs50,000 surety and noted the defense's custody and medical points.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — A judicial magistrate on Monday granted post-arrest bail to senior journalist Fakhar ur Rehman, who had been arrested by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in a case registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

Rehman was taken into custody over the weekend following a first information report (FIR) dated April 20, which named him among nine individuals accused of spreading what authorities described as “false and misleading information against state institutions” on the social media platform X.

Bail granted after court hearing

During Monday’s proceedings, Barrister Ahad Khokhar, representing Rehman, argued that the NCCIA had already recovered his client’s mobile phone, reducing the need for further custody. He told the court that the journalist, described as a senior citizen, required regular medication and had not expressed personal opinions but merely shared a statement attributed to a religious figure.

The defense also challenged the substance of the case, arguing that the FIR did not clearly define the role of the accused and describing the charges as “baseless.” The prosecution opposed the bail application, maintaining that journalism carried significant responsibility and that the alleged actions warranted scrutiny.

After hearing arguments, the magistrate reserved the verdict and later approved bail, directing Rehman to submit surety bonds worth Rs50,000.

The case raises concerns over digital speech

The NCCIA registered the case under Section 20 (offences against the dignity of a natural person) and Section 26-A (dissemination of false and fake information) of PECA. The FIR alleged that the accused individuals acted with “mala fide intention and ulterior motives,” disseminating content that could incite public unrest and undermine state institutions.

Other individuals named in the FIR include journalist Sabir Shakir, anchorperson Moeed Pirzada, and several political and social media figures. The complaint claimed that a review of their online activity revealed a “deliberate pattern” of mocking and maligning state institutions, contributing to fear and disorder in society.

The case reflects an ongoing pattern of legal action under PECA against journalists and commentators for online expression, raising questions about the boundaries between digital speech, accountability, and press freedom in Pakistan.

WHY THIS MATTERS: This case highlights the growing use of cybercrime laws to regulate online speech, directly affecting journalists’ ability to report and comment freely. For Pakistani media professionals, it underscores the legal risks tied to social media activity and the importance of editorial caution in digital publishing. It also signals continued tensions between state institutions and independent journalism in the digital space.

ATTRIBUTION: Reporting by JournalismPakistan, based on publicly available court proceedings and a report by Dawn (April 27, 2026).

PHOTO: X (@fakharurrehman)