NCCIA summons journalist Asad Toor under Peca for alleged dissemination of 'fake info'

National Press Club demands withdrawal of NCCIA notice, says journalists' rights must be protected

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency on Wednesday issued a notice to renowned journalist Asad Ali Toor, directing him to appear before the agency in connection with an inquiry into the alleged dissemination of "false information".

According to a notice issued by the NCCIA Cybercrime Reporting Centre, and also shared by the journalist on his X account, Toor was summoned under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in connection with the inquiry.

The inquiry pertained to the alleged dissemination of false or fake information under Section 26A of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016.

🚨🚨@NCCIAOFFICIAL summoned me on this Friday, 31 July 2026 on the complaint of the state.
چشم نم جان شوریدہ کافی نہیں
تہمت عشق پوشیدہ کافی نہیں

آج بازار میں پا بہ جولاں چلو
دست افشاں چلو مست و رقصاں چلو

خاک بر سر چلو خوں بداماں چلو
راہ تکتا ہے سب شہر جاناں چلو

حاکم شہر بھی… pic.twitter.com/bUFJtXxS9N

— Asad Ali Toor (@AsadAToor) July 29, 2026

The notice stated that the NCCIA was conducting an inquiry into the matter and identified the complainant as "Through State", which was registered on Tuesday.

According to the notice, the allegations relate to the "alleged dissemination, transmission and/or public exhibition of false/fake information".

The agency directed the journalist to appear in person at the NCCIA Cybercrime Reporting Centre on Saturday to record his version in the inquiry, while warning that failure to appear without lawful excuse would be deemed an unwillingness to offer a defence and the inquiry would proceed ex parte.

It further warned that non-compliance with the notice was punishable under Section 174 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), 1860.

The National Press Club (NPC) strongly condemned the notice, describing it as "a disturbing example of an attempt to pressure the fundamental rights of press freedom and freedom of expression".

In a statement, the NPC said that the Constitution guaranteed every citizen, particularly journalists, the right to freedom of expression and to perform their professional duties.

🚨🚨
Humbled, national press club of #Islamabad condemn @NCCIAOFFICIAL summons to me and demands withdrawal of the summons. pic.twitter.com/vO7m6eOKXl

— Asad Ali Toor (@AsadAToor) July 29, 2026

"Subjecting journalists to legal pressure and retaliatory action for carrying out their professional responsibilities or expressing critical opinions is not a positive sign for any democratic society," it added.

The NPC leadership urged institutions to refrain from exerting unnecessary pressure on journalists and to fulfil their responsibilities in accordance with the law, the Constitution and fundamental human rights.

" A free, responsible and secure press is the foundation of a strong democratic system," the statement said while demanding an immediate withdrawal of the notice issued to the journalist.

"We demand that the notice issued to Asad Ali Toor be withdrawn, that the constitutional and legal rights of journalists be fully respected, and that the authorities refrain from taking measures that could curtail press freedom or create a sense of insecurity among the journalistic community," the statement concluded.