Asad Toor is on hunger strike amidst detention by FIA.
Asad Toor, a prominent vlogger known for his outspoken commentary, has embarked on a hunger strike following his detention by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
The charges against him revolve around allegations of instigating a social media campaign against the judiciary and other state institutions, as disclosed by his lawyer, Hadi Ali Chatta, during a media briefing on Thursday.
Chatta revealed that Toor, who had not consumed any food in the past 36 hours, was visited by his mother under court orders at the FIA office, where medical assistance had to be summoned after Toor fell ill the previous night.
Contrary to expectations, Toor has not faced interrogation regarding the purported anti-judiciary campaign.
Instead, he has been questioned about his vlogs concerning other individuals.
His legal representatives, including Iman Mazari, have stressed that the investigation thus far has failed to uncover any evidence of contempt towards the judiciary.
A key point of contention in Toor’s detention lies in the pressure he faces to disclose his journalistic sources and social media account passwords, a demand vehemently opposed by Toor.
In a recent court appearance, Judicial Magistrate Islamabad Muhammad Shabbir granted a five-day remand for Toor, with instructions for the agency to produce him again on March 3, 2024.
Toor, asserting his status as a journalist, refused to surrender his mobile phone during the hearing, emphasizing that he had complied with previous FIA summons.
Also read: SC stops FIA to summon journalists over campaign against judges
Toor recounted that he and his legal team had promptly responded to the notice received on February 24, subsequently petitioning the high court regarding the matter.
They presented the court’s order to the FIA on February 26, seeking clarification on the charges against him.
As Asad Toor is on hunger strike amidst detention by FIA, according to the FIR lodged against Toor, he stands accused of orchestrating a malicious campaign against the judiciary via social media platforms such as X and YouTube, allegedly fomenting anti-state sentiments.
Consequently, he faces charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016.
