Lahore High Court rejects bail plea of journalist Sohrab Barkat

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 1 February 2026 |  JP Staff Report

The Lahore High Court dismissed journalist Sohrab Barkat's bail application in a third case, keeping him in custody for over two months. His lawyer said the ruling cited an absconder designation tied to FIA and NCCIA, though Barkat was never summoned.

Summary

LAHORE — The Lahore High Court has dismissed the bail application of detained journalist Sohrab Barkat in a third case, extending his custody beyond two months amid growing concern among media and legal circles. The judgment was released around 10 days after it was reserved by Justice M. Jawad Zafar, according to a public statement by Barkat’s lawyer, Saad Rasool.

Barkat’s counsel said the court denied bail primarily on the ground that the journalist had been declared an absconder in a case registered by the Federal Investigation Agency and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency. The ruling relates to one of multiple cases filed against Barkat, who remains in custody despite having already secured bail in two other cases.

Court ruling and absconder designation

In a post on social media, Rasool disputed the basis of the court’s finding, stating that the FIA or NCCIA had never summoned Barkat in connection with any first information report, nor had he been served with a court notice declaring him an absconder. Rasool maintained that Barkat was unaware of any pending case at the time he was set to travel.

According to Rasool, Barkat had earlier sought permission from the Islamabad High Court to travel abroad, during which proceedings the FIA reportedly informed the court that no case or inquiry was pending against him. Rasool alleged that Barkat was nevertheless arrested at Islamabad Airport on the night of November 26 to 27, 2025, which he described as a violation of the Islamabad High Court’s orders.

Background of cases against the journalist

Sohrab Barkat has been in custody for more than two months and is facing multiple cases under Pakistani law. His colleague has said that the accusations relate to his interviews and public commentary on sensitive political issues, including Kashmir and Balochistan, as well as criticism of the government. These claims have not been adjudicated on their merits in the ongoing proceedings.

The Lahore High Court decision concerns the third case in which Barkat sought bail. His legal team has announced its intention to challenge the ruling before the Supreme Court of Pakistan, seeking his release while the cases continue.

Next legal steps and ongoing detention

Rasool said an appeal will be filed before the Supreme Court to seek bail, emphasizing concerns about Barkat’s continued detention. The outcome of that petition will determine whether Barkat remains in custody as the cases move forward through the judicial process.

WHY THIS MATTERS: The case highlights how procedural designations such as being declared an absconder can significantly affect bail outcomes for journalists. For Pakistani media professionals, it underscores the legal risks associated with reporting on politically sensitive topics and the importance of due process safeguards. The proceedings also reflect broader concerns about how cybercrime and security laws intersect with press freedom.

ATTRIBUTION: Information based on statements by lawyer Saad Rasool, publicly available court proceedings, and reporting from Barkat’s colleague.

After a lapse of 10 days, the hon’ble Lahore High Court (M. Jawad Zafar, J) has released its judgment, dismissing @SohrabBarkatt’s bail.

The Court has denied Sohrab’s bail on (primarily) the ground that Sohrab had been declared an ‘absconder’ in a case registered by FIA/NCCIA.… https://t.co/pdUiFMwP6o pic.twitter.com/vedIcTY0Ii

— Saad Rasool (@SaadRasooll) February 1, 2026

PHOTO: Screenshot taken from a video published on Sohrab Barkat’s official YouTube channel.