Web Desk: Journalist and YouTube presenter Bilal Ghouri was reportedly arrested from his residence in Islamabad early Sunday, prompting his family to file a complaint with police and seek information about his whereabouts and the reason for his detention.
Family members and fellow journalists said Ghouri was taken from his home office in the E-11 sector shortly after 2 a.m. on Sept. 6. They said he left behind personal belongings, including his wallet and glasses, when he was taken into custody.
The authorities had not publicly disclosed the grounds for the reported arrest at the time of the reports.
Ghouri’s family submitted a written application at the Shalimar police station following the incident, according to information provided by his relatives.
People familiar with the matter said the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) was involved in the case and that Ghouri’s detention followed a complaint filed with the agency.
However, neither the NCCIA nor another government institution had issued a formal statement publicly explaining the arrest or confirming the allegations against the journalist.
The NCCIA was established to handle cybercrime investigations under Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, commonly known as PECA, after taking over functions previously handled by the Federal Investigation Agency’s cybercrime wing.
Some reports have linked Ghouri’s reported detention to his journalism, columns or online videos, although those claims had not been officially confirmed.
Ghouri’s wife expressed concern over his disappearance on social media and appealed to authorities and the public for assistance.
Colleagues also raised questions about the circumstances surrounding his reported detention, particularly because of the absence of an immediate public explanation from authorities.
The incident has renewed attention on Ghouri’s previous encounters with law enforcement agencies.
In February 2026, immigration officials at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport stopped Ghouri as he prepared to travel to Dhaka to cover Bangladesh’s general election, according to reports at the time.
He was held for about 15 hours before being released. Reports said his name had previously appeared on an Exit Control List or passport-control list dating from an earlier government.
After his release, Ghouri said on social media that the incident had resulted from what he described as a technical error and confirmed that he was safe.
Ghouri also faced questioning by the FIA’s cybercrime wing in 2021 over allegations connected to his YouTube videos and criticism of state institutions.
He has remained a prominent commentator on political and institutional issues through his journalism, columns and online programmes.
For now, however, the precise legal basis for the latest reported arrest remains unclear. Further details are expected if authorities formally announce the case or disclose the allegations against him.
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