The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is under scrutiny after reports emerged of individuals’ bank accounts being frozen over alleged links to “anti-state” content.
In April, Nadeem Nasir, a 60-year-old bird seller in Lahore, found his bank account frozen. He only discovered the freeze after multiple failed transactions. His bank informed him that the FIA Cyber Crime Wing in Islamabad had ordered the action. However, no official document or explanation was shared with him.
Nasir believes the freeze may be linked to a journalist he sold parrots to. That journalist, known for publishing critical reports on state institutions, also had his and his mother’s bank accounts blocked without notice. The journalist has previously faced arrests and physical violence due to his reporting.
The Islamabad High Court later ordered the journalist’s account to be restored. During the hearing, the FIA submitted a brief report stating it was investigating “anti-state and anti-government posts” and suspicious funding through social media. The court criticized the FIA for acting without due process or prior notice.
Others have also been affected. Atif Sajjad Raza, who owns a media production company, and Rozi Khan, another bird seller, had their accounts frozen after conducting transactions with the same journalist. Raza was asked by the FIA to sign an affidavit disavowing the journalist’s political views to regain access to his funds.
Another independent journalist said the FIA blocked the accounts of his wife and sister in April. Their accounts were restored only after legal intervention. In each case, the FIA gave little to no formal notice and failed to present clear evidence.
The National Cybercrime Investigation Agency, which took over cyber cases from the FIA in April, has yet to respond to repeated queries.
Media rights groups say such actions reflect a growing trend of suppressing critical voices. According to Reporters Without Borders, Pakistan remains one of the most dangerous countries for journalists. Iqbal Khattak of Freedom Network called the account freezes “a tool to mentally exhaust independent journalists.”
Meanwhile, Nasir is still locked out of his account, struggling to cover medical bills for himself and his wife. “I just want to know what I did wrong,” he said.The FIA is facing mounting criticism over its handling of account freezes linked to journalists. In a separate development, the FIA Suspends Veteran Steward Derek Warwick for Canadian GP Over Verstappen Penalty Remarks, further highlighting the agency’s controversial actions across different domains.
