human rights defender
Bilal Ghauri
Actions and Campaigns
© Bilal Ghauri/Youtube
HRD's Gender
Man
Type of HRD
- Journalist/Blogger
HRD's thematic area of engagement
- Civil and political rights
HRD's geographical origin
Urban
HRD's bio and work
Muhammad Bilal Ghauri is a Pakistani journalist, columnist, and YouTube commentator who covers political and current affairs. His work includes public commentary on government policies and state institutions. He has faced legal scrutiny over his online content, raising concerns about freedom of expression and press freedom in Pakistan.
Current Status
Released on bail
Detained since
Sep 6, 2026
Date of release
Sep 16, 2026
Charge(s)
- Spreading fake news
Latitude: 33.67581546840755
Longitude: 73.02736222883583
Geolocation of detention
Country or area of detention
Region of detention
- Asia: Southern Asia
Location of detention - City/Town
Islamabad
Location of detention - Facility
National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA)
Allegations / reports of ill-treatment
His family reported him missing on September 6, 2026, before authorities confirmed his detention.
Recent case update / evolution
Journalist Bilal Ghauri, known for his popular YouTube channel, was detained in Islamabad on September 6, 2026, by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) over commentary concerning Major General Faisal Naseer’s appointment as national coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA). He was investigated under Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), with a court initially granting three days of physical remand and later extending it by two days. On September 16, 2026, a judicial magistrate granted Ghauri post-arrest bail and ordered his release.
