Senior Journalist Farhan Mallick Sent to Jail on Judicial Remand Over Alleged Anti-State Content
The FIA took the journalist into custody on March 20 for allegedly violating the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) and involvement in defamation.
Senior journalist Farhan Mallick was sent to jail on a 14-day judicial remand on Tuesday by a local court in Karachi.
Mallick, the founder of media agency Raftar and a former news director at Samaa TV, had been arrested on March 20 for allegedly airing “anti-state” content on his YouTube channel.
After a four-day physical remand granted to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the agency sought an extension of his custody until April 3.
However, the court denied this request and instead ordered judicial remand. Mallick’s bail application was also taken up, with notices issued to the respondents for a hearing scheduled on March 27.
During the proceedings, the court questioned the nature of the videos and the identity of the complainant, while Mallick alleged harassment of his staff. The judge warned against any further harassment and inquired about the involvement of other individuals in the case.
An FIR has been registered against him under multiple sections of the Peca Act, along with Sections 190 and 500 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Section 190 pertains to the punishment of abetment when the act abetted is committed as a consequence, with no specific provision for its punishment, while Section 500 deals with defamation.
According to the FIR, Mallick, formerly the director of news at a private news channel and now running a YouTube channel, is accused of spreading anti-state content.
“During the inquiry, an initial technical analysis of the alleged YouTube channel revealed that the individual was involved in creating and disseminating posts and videos containing fake news and incitement against the state,” the FIR states.
It further alleges that Mallick has “continuously uploaded and shared anti-state content, consisting of false information and a public incitement agenda, which has damaged the reputation of public institutions on an international level, constituting an offense.”
A day earlier, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) conducted a raid on journalist Farhan Malik’s office, seizing his computer and USB drive.
According to the office administration, the raid was not part of routine investigations but an attack on press freedom.
