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NCCIA Arrests Journalist Muhammad Aslam Shah Over Alleged Social Media Defamation
Journalist Muhammad Aslam Shah has been arrested by the NCCIA in Karachi on charges of defamation through social media under amended PECA laws, raising fresh concerns over press freedom and use of cybercrime laws against journalists.
ND
by News Desk
2026-01-07
NCCIA Arrests Journalist Muhammad Aslam Shah Over Alleged Social Media Defamation

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on Wednesday arrested journalist Muhammad Aslam Shah on charges of defamation through social media, marking another case that has sparked concerns over the application of cybercrime laws against media professionals.

According to the agency, an FIR was registered against Shah on December 29, 2025, under Section 20 (offences against the dignity of a natural person) and Section 24 (cyberstalking) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025.

Muhammad Aslam Shah is known for his extensive reporting on Karachi’s water crisis and related governance issues.

The complainant, identified as Tabish Raza Husnain, alleged in the FIR that Shah carried out a “defamation campaign” against him and a senior officer, Col. Anjum, through various Facebook and WhatsApp groups. Husnain claimed the journalist made “false and baseless allegations” and used abusive language, causing distress and reputational damage.

A copy of the FIR available with Dawn states that the complainant submitted screenshots of the alleged content as evidence. The NCCIA said that during the course of the inquiry, multiple notices were issued to Shah, directing him to appear before the agency to record his statement and clarify his position.

Despite the notices, the agency proceeded with legal action, resulting in Shah’s arrest on Wednesday.

The arrest comes amid growing concerns over the use of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) against journalists. In August 2025, the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting expressed serious reservations over the increasing number of cases registered against journalists under PECA. The committee had called for urgent measures to address apprehensions within the media community regarding FIRs, arrests, and alleged misuse of the law.

This is not the first high-profile case involving a journalist under cybercrime laws. Last year, Farhan Mallick, founder of media agency Raftar and former news director at Samaa TV, was arrested in Karachi on March 20. He was booked under PECA along with sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and was subsequently remanded into Federal Investigation Agency custody for four days.

Media rights groups have repeatedly warned that the broad interpretation of cybercrime laws risks curbing press freedom and discouraging investigative journalism, particularly on governance and public interest issues.
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