Peshawar Lawyer Receives Call-Up Notice for "Anti-State" Social Media Posts

Strategic Insights -

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Peshawar has issued a call-up notice to prominent lawyer Tariq Afghan, accusing him of sharing "anti-state" content on social media. Afghan, who is also a central leader of Malgaray Wakeelan, the lawyers' wing of Awami National Party (ANP), has been summoned to appear on September 8 to record his defense. The move has triggered condemnation from the legal fraternity and ANP leadership, with many terming it a violation of fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan.

Key Takeaways:

  • The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Peshawar has initiated an inquiry against lawyer Tariq Afghan for allegedly sharing "anti-state" content on social media.
  • Afghan, a central leader of Malgaray Wakeelan and an environmentalist, has been summoned to appear on September 8 to record his defense.
  • The inquiry was instituted on August 8, 2025, on a source report and is being conducted under the provisions of Section 11 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016.
  • The actions of NCCIA have been condemned by the legal fraternity and ANP leadership, with many terming it a violation of fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan.
  • The PHCBA has demanded the withdrawal of the notice, stating that it is unconstitutional and violates several international conventions on freedom of expression and opinion.
  • ANP has vowed to fully resist the move, stating that it is an attack on democratic norms and human rights.
  • Malgaray Wakeelan's provincial president, Rafique Mohmand, has stated that Article 19 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, and imposing restrictions on this right is an unconstitutional act.

Statistics:

  • August 8, 2025: The inquiry against Tariq Afghan was instituted.
  • September 8: Tariq Afghan is scheduled to appear to record his defense.
  • 2016: The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) was enacted.

Sources:

  • "Peshawar lawyer receives call-up notice for 'anti-state' social media posts" by The Express Tribune
  • "ANP leaders condemn NCCIA move to summon Tariq Afghan" by The Daily Pakistan