Pakistani YouTuber, comedian, and podcaster Shehzad Ghias Shaikh has claimed he may face arrest or detention next week in connection with a defamation case involving fashion designer Maria B, being pursued through the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
In a video published on his YouTube channel, Ghias claimed that he had received a court summons for Monday, but that the official details of the case, including the charges, remained unclear.
“I have no idea what I’ve been summoned for. I’ve received no case details,” Ghias said in the video, adding that he feared a First Information Report (FIR) may have been filed by the FIA and subsequently forwarded to the court.
He said that Maria B initially issued a civil legal notice against him for defamation but later pursued criminal defamation charges through the FIA, a move he described as disproportionate and intended to silence dissent.
“They didn’t go for a civil suit; they went straight to the FIA,” he said, adding that his criticism of Maria B’s actions was based on opinion and did not meet the threshold for defamation under Pakistani law.
Ghias also claimed that the complaint stemmed from his previous commentary and content, including episodes discussing Maria B and influencer-related issues, though he asserted he never initiated a smear campaign or intentionally defamed anyone.
“I never even named her in recent videos. There were far more damaging things I could have done, and I didn’t.”
He further said the pressure campaign was part of a wider “elite culture of silencing critics” in Pakistan, adding: “The rich in this country think they can use any institution — the FIA, the courts — to crush dissent.”
In a tweet accompanying the video, Ghias wrote:“For months Maria B has been using the FIA to silence us. I have been summoned by the court on Monday now, where I might be arrested or detained… Imagine – going to jail over a joke? Does freedom of speech even exist in Pakistan anymore?”
For months Maria B has been using the FIA to silence us, I have been summoned by the court on Monday now, where I might be arrested or detained:https://t.co/qIF46Hi0Ln
— Shehzad Ghias Shaikh (@Shehzad89) June 18, 2025
Imagine - going to jail over a joke? Does freedom of speech even exist in Pakistan anymore? pic.twitter.com/qML0IsBdI1
He urged his followers to raise awareness on social media if he is detained.
“The more pressure there is online, the better my chances of not being jailed for long,” he said.
Some users on X have expressed support for Shehzad Ghias
Voices like @Shehzad89 are a threat to those who run on hate and fear the truth. We should not let people like Maria B. silence them. Not now, not ever. https://t.co/7DADiHCiib
— Midha (@MidhaTheDreamer) June 19, 2025
More power to you, @Shehzad89! May the truth revealed by @ThePakistanExp1 always stay alive. It’s high time we stand with him and appreciate his relentless efforts to enlighten the people of Pakistan.#ThePakistanExperiment #ShehzadSpeaksTruthhttps://t.co/94DYHBMoIX
— Wamiq (@Wamiqulhaq) June 18, 2025
Meanwhile, others are backing Maria B.
Maria B, how can we thank you for this noble act. pic.twitter.com/6XAzkle5Ud
— خان (@Khanstitution1) June 18, 2025
This has to be the best thing Maria B has ever done https://t.co/xcYP9Skjto
— Osama 🇵🇰 (@Osama_z1a) June 18, 2025
Maria B could not be reached for comment.
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