Pakistan registers fourth FIR against journalist Sohrab Barkat

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 22 February 2026 |  JP Staff Report

Pakistani authorities registered a fourth FIR, accusing journalist Sohrab Barkat of disseminating intimidating content via his X account; the new charge extends his detention to nearly 90 days amid overlapping PECA cases and bail challenges.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — Pakistani authorities have registered a fourth First Information Report (FIR) against journalist Sohrab Barkat and arrested him, extending his detention to nearly 90 days since his arrest at Islamabad International Airport on November 26, 2025, despite multiple bail orders and ongoing legal challenges.

The FIR alleges that Barkat was involved in “recording, preparing, transmitting and disseminating highly obnoxious and intimidating content against state functionaries and state institutions” through his X account. His lawyer, Saad Rasool, shared the charges on social media. The FIR states that Barkat “rippled the serene fabric of public peace and tranquility, and attempted to create fear and unrest, and “fanned insurgency in the state”, language commonly used in charges under Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

Fourth FIR deepens legal quagmire

Barkat’s fourth FIR comes after three previous cases under PECA, in which he was granted bail, including an order from the Supreme Court last week. Yet, authorities have countered those orders with fresh charges or cancellations of bail in related cases. The lawyer’s post says this latest FIR is being challenged before a magistrate in Islamabad in accordance with the law.

At nearly 90 days in detention, Barkat’s prolonged custody, despite judicial interventions, reflects a pattern where overlapping FIRs and cancellations of bail orders have kept him in pretrial detention well beyond initial legal relief, raising serious concerns among press freedom advocates.

Update in the @SohrabBarkatt saga.

We have been informed that after grant of post-arrest bail in the earlier three FIRs — including a bail granted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan — Sohrab has now been arrested in a fourth/new FIR.

We will be pursuing the matter before the… https://t.co/8FBBgzjthqpic.twitter.com/oqbxQ55qnj

— Saad Rasool (@SaadRasooll) February 21, 2026

Press freedom advocates voice concern

International and local press freedom bodies, including the International Federation of Journalists and Committee to Protect Journalists, have condemned the repeated filings and extended detention, saying such practices are used to prolong custody and intimidate critical voices under broad cybercrime laws. These groups emphasize that multiple FIRs filed while a journalist remains in custody can effectively negate bail and disrupt due process.

WHY THIS MATTERS: For Pakistani media professionals, the fourth FIR against Barkat is a stark illustration of how cybercrime statutes can be used to sustain prolonged detention through successive charges, even after courts grant bail. It highlights ongoing risks for journalists covering sensitive political or institutional issues and underscores the need for careful legal and editorial strategies when reporting on state institutions.

ATTRIBUTION: Reporting based on current verified updates from social media by Barkat’s counsel and rights organization alerts.

PHOTO: A screenshot from Sohrab Barkat's TikTok video.