Pakistani Journalist Sohrab Barkat Granted Post-Arrest Bail by Supreme Court

February 19, 2026 – Pakistan –

In a notable legal development in Islamabad, Pakistan, the Supreme Court of Pakistan on February 18, 2026 granted post-arrest bail to journalist Sohrab Barkat in one of several cases filed under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), marking a significant turn in a prolonged detention that has drawn widespread attention.

Barkat, a digital journalist and correspondent for the online outlet Siasat.pk, had been arrested on November 26, 2025, at Islamabad International Airport by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and charged with various offences, including spreading misinformation about state institutions and “derogatory remarks” made during interviews, according to court filings and human rights advocates. The Supreme Court ruled that he could be released on bail against surety bonds, overturning an earlier Lahore High Court rejection of his bail application.

Despite the Supreme Court’s bail order, Barkat remained in custody because authorities moved to cancel bail in a separate PECA-related First Information Report (FIR). Lawyers for Barkat have challenged the revocation before the Islamabad High Court, which has issued notices and is set to hear the matter, underscoring the complex legal landscape surrounding overlapping cases. These multiple FIRs and bail cancellations mean Barkat’s physical detention has continued even after judicial relief in one case.

Local and international press freedom organisations, including the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), have criticised the repeated use of cybercrime laws to prolong Barkat’s detention. They argue that filing overlapping FIRs and cancelling bail orders tends to subvert due process and can be used to intimidate critical media voices in Pakistan, where digital and broadcast journalists face increasing pressure. These groups have called for Barkat’s immediate release and for authorities to refrain from legal harassment of journalists carrying out routine reporting.

Barkat’s legal ordeal highlights broader concerns about press freedom and the application of cybercrime legislation in Pakistan, particularly as digital platforms become more central to political discourse and investigative reporting. The case continues to unfold as his defence and the Islamabad High Court address the contested bail revocation while Barkat remains detained pending resolution of multiple PECA-related charges.

Reference –

https://www.dawn.com/news/1974181

Journalist Sohrab Barkat granted post-arrest bail by Supreme Court

https://dailytimes.com.pk/1453409/sc-grants-post-arrest-bail-to-sohrab-barkat/