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Global Free Speech

Pakistani authorities detain journalist Sohrab Barkat again over reporting on Kashmir

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Pakistani authorities detain journalist Sohrab Barkat again over reporting on Kashmir

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New York, June 12, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Pakistani authorities to immediately release journalist Sohrab Barkat who was arrested on June 5 at his home in Islamabad over reports on his YouTube channel about protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

After the arrest and seizure his phone and car keys, National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) filed a First Information Report against Barkat on June 6, alleging he had violated Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), which makes the dissemination of “fake or false” information a criminal offense punishable by up to three years in prison.

The FIR cited a June 5 report by Barkat on the political situation in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and accused him of promoting the views of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a local protest movement. Barkat appeared in court on Friday and was remanded in custody for three days.

“The detention of journalist Sohrab Barkat, just months after he spent 100 days behind bars without any charges, is a blatant attempt to criminalize independent reporting on Kashmir at a moment of intense public interest,” said CPJ Afghanistan-Pakistan Representative Waliullah Rahmani. “Pakistani authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Barkat, return his equipment, and stop using vague false information allegations and anti-terrorism measures to intimidate journalists.”

The accusations against Barkat are particularly dangerous because, on June 5, authorities in Pakistan-administered Kashmir banned JAAC under anti-terrorism laws, according to media reports.

Ahead of July 27 elections in the region, JAAC had called for protests against 12 legislative seats reserved for refugees who migrated to Pakistan from Indian-administered Kashmir decades ago. The issue sparked large-scale demonstrations, followed by a security crackdown that killed at least 15 people, led to arrests, and government-imposed internet disruptions.

Pakistani authorities previously detained Barkat, who is originally from Kashmir, without charge from November 2025 to March this year in connection with his journalism.

The NCCIA’s office in Islamabad did not immediately reply to CPJ’s emailed request for comment on Barkat’s detention.

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