Senior journalist and founder of the YouTube channel “Raftar,” Farhan Malik, has been arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Karachi.

Raftar’s editor, Fahad Kyar, and Farhan Malik’s legal representative, Advocate Abdul Moiz Jaffery, have confirmed the arrest.

According to Abdul Moiz Jaffery, the arrest appears to have been made under the new provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). However, the FIA has yet to provide Farhan Malik’s family with an official FIR or details regarding the case.

Jaffery stated that Malik was initially summoned by the FIA for questioning, but after being held for two to three hours, he was formally arrested.

In a social media post, Raftar claimed that FIA officials visited their office on Wednesday without prior notice, harassed the staff, and summoned Farhan Malik to appear at the FIA office on Thursday at 1pm.

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Complying with the order, Malik arrived at the designated office, but after being kept waiting for several hours, he was taken into custody at 6pm.

Raftar has demanded an immediate explanation from the FIA regarding the circumstances of the arrest.

In an official statement, the FIA confirmed the arrest, stating that Farhan Malik was taken into custody as part of an ongoing inquiry against him. The agency added that Malik had been summoned multiple times in the past to record statements.

FIA officials further stated that Malik’s arrest followed the completion of their investigation, and he remains in custody for further questioning.

Sources revealed that FIA officials had visited the Raftar office the previous day as well, but Malik was not present at the time.

Farhan Malik has been summoned for questioning by the FIA in the past, but according to Jaffery, this case appears to be separate from previous matters.

Raftar’s editor, Fahad Kyar, told Aaj News that no copy of the FIR has been shared with anyone at Raftar. He added that they cannot determine which specific video might have triggered the authorities’ action.

Farhan Malik has previously served as Director of News at Samaa TV and has also been affiliated with Geo News. He is known as an active digital journalist on social media.

The news of his arrest has sparked concern among journalists on social media.