Lahore High Court ruling raises stakes for Sohrab Barkat

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 2 February 2026 |  JP Staff Report

The Lahore High Court denied journalist Sohrab Barkat bail and noted he had been declared an absconder in FIA and NCCIA proceedings. His lawyer says Barkat received no summons or notice and was unaware of any pending case when he was arrested.

Summary

LAHORE — When the Lahore High Court dismissed journalist Sohrab Barkat’s bail application in a third case, the decision did more than extend his detention. It introduced a judicial finding that could influence how courts assess his conduct and eligibility for relief in all pending proceedings.

The ruling, issued by Justice M. Jawad Zafar around 10 days after the judgment was reserved, denied bail on the ground that Barkat had been declared an absconder in a case registered by the Federal Investigation Agency and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency, according to a public statement by his lawyer, Saad Rasool.

An absconder designation and its impact

That designation now sits at the center of the case, with implications extending beyond a single bail petition. In criminal proceedings, an absconder finding is typically treated as an indication of alleged evasion of legal process, a factor that can weigh heavily against the grant of bail.

Rasool has publicly disputed the basis of the court’s conclusion, stating that Barkat was never summoned by the FIA or NCCIA and was not served any court notice declaring him an absconder. He has also said that Barkat was unaware of any pending case at the time he was set to travel abroad.

Conflicting accounts of notice and arrest

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

If these claims are accepted by higher courts, the absconder finding could become a contested factual issue rather than a settled procedural conclusion, with potential consequences for future bail determinations.

Detention through multiple proceedings

Barkat has been in custody for more than two months and is facing multiple cases under Pakistani law. While he has secured bail in two earlier cases, the Lahore High Court decision relates to a third, allowing his detention to continue despite the absence of any conviction.

Colleagues have said the cases relate to Barkat’s interviews and public commentary on sensitive political issues, including Kashmir and Balochistan, as well as criticism of the government. These allegations have not yet been adjudicated on their merits.

Next legal steps

Barkat’s legal team has announced its intention to challenge the Lahore High Court ruling before the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The appeal will seek bail and review the basis of the absconder designation as the cases proceed through the judicial system.

WHY THIS MATTERS: The case highlights how procedural findings, such as an absconder designation, can significantly affect bail outcomes for journalists. For Pakistani media professionals, it underscores the growing importance of legal strategy, documentation, and travel-related clearances in an environment of multiple, overlapping cases. It also illustrates how prolonged pretrial detention can shape newsroom risk assessments and editorial decision-making.

ATTRIBUTION: Based on publicly available court proceedings and statements by Barkat’s lawyer, Saad Rasool.

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