HUM News journalist Khurram Iqbal released after being held in custody

LAHORE: Senior HUM News journalist and Islamabad bureau producer Khurram Iqbal has been released hours after being taken into custody in Lahore amid allegations under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), family sources said on Friday.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari had earlier confirmed that Iqbal was not missing but was being held under PECA on charges of allegedly creating and spreading a “fake video” on social media.

She questioned how such acts could align with journalistic values, adding that a review of his social media timeline suggested links to a “propaganda cell.”

However, following widespread public outcry and strong protests from media bodies, Iqbal was released late Friday evening.

Iqbals’s detention was first reported after he was taken from his sister’s house in Herbanspura, Lahore, by individuals in plain clothes.

According to family members, 15–20 people, including some wearing police uniforms and armed personnel, entered the home and forcibly took him away late Thursday. At the time, Iqbal’s wife and young child were present in the house. For several hours, no official agency confirmed his arrest or provided details about the custody.

Azma Bukhari later took to X to assert that Iqbal was in custody under PECA for allegedly creating and distributing a fake video.

She challenged the act as inconsistent with journalistic standards and claimed that his social media activity did not reflect professional journalism.

Reaction from media organisations

Iqbal’s detention triggered swift and widespread condemnation from national and international press bodies. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), AEMEND (Alliance for Media Endowment and Development), National Press Club Islamabad, Lahore Press Club, and several other journalist associations strongly denounced the “illegal” arrest and called for his immediate release.

PFUJ President Afzal Butt described the incident as a serious violation of press freedom and demanded that authorities ensure the safety and protection of journalists across the country.

Senior journalist Asma Shirazi, in a tweet, held the Punjab government responsible for Iqbal’s disappearance, saying: “This was not seen even under dictatorships. Until yesterday you were protesting against PECA with us, and today you are holding a journalist above the law. Azma Bukhari, Maryam Aurangzeb, and Maryam Nawaz, do not take the law into your own hands.”

Government response

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said he had been informed of the incident and would personally look into the matter.

His comments came amid growing concerns about the safety of journalists and fears of arbitrary detentions under digital crime laws.

Broader context

The incident has highlighted ongoing concerns among journalists about the use of stringent laws such as PECA, which critics argue have been misused in several cases to curb press freedom and intimidate media professionals. Journalists across Pakistan have increasingly reported incidents of harassment, threats, and legal actions in connection with their reporting and social media activity.

Following his release, Khurram Iqbal’s colleagues and press bodies reiterated calls for guarantees of safety and legal protections for journalists, urging authorities to respect constitutional rights and due process.