Rajab Butt to surrender before IHC tomorrow, lawyer denies deportation

By Nadir Baloch

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani YouTuber Rajab Butt will surrender before the Islamabad High Court on Wednesday (tomorrow), his lawyer said, denying reports that he was deported from the United Kingdom.

Advocate Ali Ashfaq Mian, who represents Rajab Butt, said that Butt is returning to Pakistan of his own free will and was not deported. “I have all the correct and documented evidence to support this legal position,” he said in an X post.

Ali Ashfaq further stated that Rajab Butt has already surrendered before the IHC and will appear in person on Wednesday to comply with the court’s orders issued today. He said that the court has directed the authorities concerned not to create any obstacles in ensuring his arrival at the court.

Responding to a question from a follower on X, the lawyer said that in the past two years, he had represented Rajab Butt in three cases, proving his innocence in each.

Regarding the current cases, he said that legal action was temporarily deferred based on his advice, considering the circumstances from a few months ago.

“Time has shown that these cases were part of a fabricated campaign. My advice from four months ago has been proven correct,” Ali Ashfaq added.

UK authorities earlier said that Butt was deported after the cancellation of his UK visa. Rajab Butt earlier left the country after announcing a temporary break from vlogging amid controversy and legal action.

The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has registered a case against Rajab Butt for allegedly promoting gambling and betting applications.

According to the FIR, Rajab Butt used social media videos and advertisements to lure people into investing in gambling apps, causing financial losses. He is also accused of serving as a brand ambassador for a popular betting platform.

Despite being issued several notices, he failed to appear for inquiry, after which a case was formally registered.

He also faces allegations of disrespecting Islamic figures, with a petition filed in the Lahore High Court in this regard.

Rajab Butt has a strong YouTube following of around 7.74 million subscribers. He has also recently become father of a baby boy.

Earlier, Rajab Butt faced scathing criticism after a video of an alleged inappropriate conversation with popular influencer Samiya Hijab went viral on social media.