Senior Journalist Bilal Ghauri Arrested by NCCIA Over Alleged False Social Media Content
ISLAMABAD – The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has arrested senior journalist and analyst Bilal Ghauri on charges of allegedly spreading false and misleading information on social media regarding the appointment of the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) .
According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered by the NCCIA, Ghauri was taken into custody after legal permission was obtained . The case was formally registered at 12:10 AM on September 6, 2026, under Sections 20 and 26-A of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, as amended in 2025 .
The FIR states that Ghauri posted on X (formerly Twitter) and uploaded a 16-minute video on YouTube on September 5, 2026, discussing the appointment of the NACTA National Coordinator . The agency alleges that the content was fabricated and baseless, containing serious allegations without any factual or independently verifiable basis .
سینئر صحافی بلال غوری کو نیشنل سائبر کرائم اینڈ انوسٹیگیشن ایجنسی نے گرفتار کر لیا!
ایف آئی آر کے مطابق:
"رات 12 بج کر 10 منٹ پر ایف آئی آر کا اندراج ہوا
بلال غوری نے 5 ستمبر کو ایکس پوسٹ اور 16 منٹ کی یوٹیوب وڈیو میں کوآرڈینیٹر نیکٹا کی تقرری پر گفتگو کی،بلال غوری کی… pic.twitter.com/oq53GuuXWg— Maryam Nawaz Khan (@maryamnawazkhan) September 6, 2026
The NCCIA further claimed that the material was intended to create public disorder and affect public confidence in state institutions and public officeholders . The investigation officer has been appointed to probe the matter further .
Ghauri was reportedly taken into custody from his residence in Islamabad’s E-11/4 sector around 2:00 AM . His family reported that he was taken silently without any prior notice or documentation being shown to them . His wife, Humaira Kanwal, expressed concern on social media and approached Shalimar Police Station to report his disappearance .
He is expected to be produced before a court for further legal proceedings
