The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has issued a notice to senior journalist Asad Ali Toor, directing him to appear before investigators in connection with an inquiry registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016, over allegations of disseminating false or fake information.
According to the notice issued by the Office of the Additional Director, Cyber Crime Reporting Centre (CCRC), Islamabad, and dated July 29, 2026, Toor has been summoned under Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.P.C.) in Enquiry No. 2220/26.
The notice states that the inquiry concerns the alleged dissemination, transmission and/or public exhibition of false/fake information under Section 26A of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016.
Appearance on July 31
According to the notice, the enquiry was registered on July 28, 2026, with the complainant listed as “Through State.”
The NCCIA has directed Asad Ali Toor to appear in person before the investigating officer at the Cyber Crime Reporting Centre, Building 5C, Street 169, G-13/3, Islamabad, on July 31, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. to record his version in defence.
The notice warns that failure to appear without lawful excuse will be considered an unwillingness to present a defence, after which the inquiry may proceed ex parte. It further states that non-compliance with the notice is punishable under Section 174 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), 1860.
The journalist has also been instructed to bring his original CNIC while appearing before the investigation team.
🚨🚨@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 نہیںآج بازار میں پا بہ جولاں چلو
دست افشاں چلو مست و رقصاں چلوخاک بر سر چلو خوں بداماں چلو
راہ تکتا ہے سب شہر جاناں چلوحاکم شہر بھی… pic.twitter.com/bUFJtXxS9N
— Asad Ali Toor (@AsadAToor) July 29, 2026
Allegations Under PECA
The notice specifically refers to allegations relating to the dissemination, transmission and public exhibition of allegedly false or fake information, an offence being investigated under Section 26A of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016.
No further details regarding the alleged content or the nature of the complaint have been mentioned in the notice.
Not the First Cybercrime Case Against Toor
This is not the first time that Asad Ali Toor has faced action by Pakistan’s cybercrime authorities.
In February 2024, when cybercrime investigations were being handled by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Toor was questioned for several hours in connection with allegations relating to an online campaign targeting members of the superior judiciary. He was subsequently arrested and produced before a court, which granted the investigating agency physical remand.
Following the completion of the remand, he was sent to Adiala Jail, where he remained in custody for nearly three weeks before being granted bail by an Islamabad court. His detention had drawn widespread attention from journalist bodies, civil society organizations and press freedom groups.
Previous Legal Challenges
Asad Ali Toor has remained involved in several legal proceedings over the past few years in connection with his journalism and online commentary. Besides facing multiple cybercrime inquiries and criminal cases, he also survived an attack at his Islamabad residence in 2021, an incident that received national and international attention.
The latest NCCIA notice marks another legal proceeding involving the senior journalist. He is expected to appear before the Cyber Crime Reporting Centre in Islamabad on July 31 to record his statement in response to the allegations mentioned in the inquiry notice.
