ISLAMABAD: The journalists Ahmed Noorani and Jamil Farooqi, along with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Seemabia Tahir, have been declared absconders by a local court in cases involving alleged propaganda against the Pakistan Army on social media.
In this regard, Judicial Magistrate Mohammad Abbas Shah issued a written order, declaring all three accused as absconders and directing the issuance of permanent arrest warrants to ensure their appearance before the court.
The order noted that repeated summons had been issued to the accused, but they failed to present themselves before the court. It focused on the failure to appear hindered the progress of legal proceedings.
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has reportedly completed its investigation and submitted challans in the respective cases. According to court documents, the First Information Reports (FIRs) against Noorani, Farooqi, and Tahir were registered in July and August 2025 under relevant provisions of the cybercrime laws and other related legal statutes.
The court has instructed that the permanent arrest warrants be executed strictly in accordance with the law. The directive aims to ensure that the accused are brought to the court to face trial, reinforcing the judiciary’s commitment to due process.
The cases have drawn attention to the growing scrutiny of social media activities in Pakistan, particularly content alleged to target state institutions. Legal experts note that while the enforcement of cybercrime laws is intended to maintain order online, concerns over freedom of expression have been raised in some quarters.
Ahmed Noorani and Jamil Farooqi are known for their reporting and commentary on political and security matters, while Seemabia Tahir holds a leadership position within the PTI. The court’s decision to declare them absconders marks a significant development in the ongoing investigations.
The Ministry of Interior and the NCCIA have not issued any official comments on the case so far. Observers suggest that the execution of the arrest warrants could have wider political and social implications, given the high-profile nature of the individuals involved.
The next hearing in the cases will depend on the successful apprehension of the accused, with the judiciary emphasizing strict adherence to legal procedures to ensure a fair trial.
