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August 23, 2025 – Pakistan –
The arrest of journalist Khalid Jamil by Pakistan’s National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has sparked widespread condemnation from rights groups, who call it an assault on press freedom.
Jamil, a senior journalist based in Islamabad, was detained after officials raided his residence in Media Town. According to NCCIA, the arrest followed “completion of official procedures,” though authorities have not publicly disclosed the exact charges. The agency has stated that further details will be shared at a later stage.
The detention has drawn sharp criticism from media and human rights organizations, with many voicing concern over the lack of transparency. The Human Rights Council of Pakistan (HRCP) issued a statement on Sunday, August 24, describing the arrest as “an attack on press freedom” and urging authorities to clarify the grounds for Jamil’s detention immediately.
“Targeting journalists under vague or undisclosed charges sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the right to free expression guaranteed by the Constitution,” HRCP said.
Colleagues of Jamil have also expressed alarm, pointing out that he had been critical of state institutions in his reporting. Some journalists suggested the arrest reflects a broader pattern of shrinking space for independent media in Pakistan.
Press freedom in the country has long been under scrutiny, with watchdogs noting that intimidation, legal harassment, and arrests of journalists are becoming increasingly common. The move against Jamil comes amid growing concerns about the misuse of Pakistan’s cybercrime laws, which critics argue are being applied to stifle dissent rather than address genuine digital offenses.
As of Sunday evening, Jamil remains in custody, with no formal charges publicly confirmed. Calls are mounting for his immediate release and for authorities to uphold Pakistan’s constitutional commitments to press freedom and human rights.
References –
https://www.msn.com/en-ae/news/other/cybercrime-agency-arrests-journalist-khalid-jamil/ar-AA1L4O2e
