Sohrab Barkat’s airport arrest defies court directive
JournalismPakistan.com | Published last week | JP Staff Report
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Journalist Sohrab Barkatt was detained at Islamabad Airport despite a prior court directive removing his name from the PNIL, raising concerns about enforcement gaps and media freedoms.Summary
ISLAMABAD — Journalist and YouTuber Sohrab Barkat was detained by the Federal Investigation Agency at Islamabad Airport while traveling to attend a conference, according to reports circulating on social media. The detention occurred despite an earlier Islamabad High Court order directing authorities to remove his name from the Provisional National Identification List as of October 31, 2025.
During contempt proceedings at the Islamabad High Court, the FIA confirmed on November 24, 2025, that Barkat’s name had been removed from the PNIL. However, the confirmation did not result in operational compliance, as Barkat was still stopped and taken into custody at the airport.
Court order contrasts with on-ground enforcement
The apparent disconnect between the court’s written directive and actions taken by airport authorities has raised renewed concerns about procedural adherence within Pakistan’s enforcement agencies. Legal observers noted that while agencies may provide formal assurance to the courts, lapses in implementing those directives continue to surface.
Concerns grow over treatment of journalists
The incident has amplified broader questions about the treatment of journalists in the country. Press freedom advocates frequently point to inconsistent enforcement of legal protections and argue that journalists face hurdles ranging from administrative restrictions to threats of detention. Barkat’s case, highlighted online, contributes to ongoing debates over the state of media rights and the need for more robust institutional safeguards.
KEY POINTS:
- Sohrab Barkat was detained at Islamabad Airport while attempting to travel
- Islamabad High Court had ordered his name removed from the PNIL on October 31, 2025
- FIA later confirmed removal from the PNIL during contempt proceedings on November 24, 2025
- Despite the confirmation, Barkat was still detained at the airport
- The case has raised concerns about rule-of-law gaps and the safety of journalists
PHOTO: Sohrab Barkat (YouTube)
