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Karachi Court Sends Journalist Farhan Mallick on 14-Day Judicial Remand
Journalist Farhan Mallick has been sent to jail on a 14-day judicial remand for allegedly airing "anti-state" content. Media bodies condemn his arrest, calling it a threat to press freedom.
ND
by News Desk
2025-03-25
Karachi Court Sends Journalist Farhan Mallick on 14-Day Judicial Remand

A Karachi court on Tuesday sent journalist Farhan Mallick to jail on a 14-day judicial remand over allegations of airing “anti-state” content on his YouTube channel, Raftar TV.

Mallick, the founder of Raftar Media Agency and former news director at Samaa TV, was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on March 20 and booked under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

FIA Seeks Extended Remand, Court Denies Request

Mallick was presented before Judicial Magistrate-I (East) Khalique Zaman, where the FIA requested an extension of his physical remand until April 3. However, the court rejected the request and ordered Mallick’s transfer to judicial custody for 14 days.

The court also took up Mallick’s bail petition and issued notices to the prosecutor and investigation officer, with the next hearing scheduled for March 27.

Allegations Against Mallick

According to the FIR dated March 20, Mallick is accused of running a "campaign of anti-state videos". The charges against him include:

  • Section 16 (unauthorized use of identity information)
  • Section 20 (offenses against the dignity of a natural person)
  • Section 26-A (fake news and disinformation) of PECA
  • Sections 500 (defamation) and 109 (abetment) of PPC

Notably, Section 26-A, recently added to PECA, criminalizes the spread of false information likely to cause unrest, carrying a penalty of up to three years in prison or a fine of Rs2 million.

Media Outcry & Global Condemnation

Mallick’s arrest has sparked outrage among media organizations and rights groups.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) strongly condemned the move, calling it "state harassment against the media".

"The arrest of Farhan Mallick and the arbitrary raid of Raftar is a hugely concerning case of state harassment against a news outlet publishing in the public interest," the IFJ said in a statement.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) also called for Mallick’s immediate and unconditional release, highlighting that journalists in Pakistan are facing increasing threats and suppression.

"The alarming detention of Farhan Mallick, along with the abduction of journalist Ahmed Noorani’s brothers, shows the Pakistani government’s disregard for press freedom," said CPJ Asia Coordinator Beh Lih Yi.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) also urged authorities to "check the overreach of agencies" and uphold the right to freedom of expression.

Pakistan ranks 152 out of 180 in the World Press Freedom Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders. Journalists in the country continue to face censorship, arrests, and online restrictions, with X (formerly Twitter) still officially blocked.

Next Hearing on March 27

As Mallick remains in judicial custody, media groups continue to demand his release and an end to state actions restricting press freedom. His bail petition will be heard on March 27, a crucial date in determining his legal fate.
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