Falak Javed, sister of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activist Sanam Javed, has been arrested in Islamabad under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), authorities confirmed Wednesday. Her detention comes amid a broader crackdown on political activists and journalists accused of spreading anti-state content online.
PTI described her arrest as an “abduction,” saying that intelligence agencies and Islamabad police unlawfully picked her up. Party supporters and her family argue she has been targeted for her outspoken support of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who remains in prison.
Today, Pakistani intelligence agencies, along with Islamabad police, abducted my sister, Falak Javed, a staunch supporter of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and a fearless voice for many in Pakistan ; especially those who remain imprisoned, including Imran Khan himself.
Shortly… pic.twitter.com/XUopk56afP
— Sanam Javaid Khan (@sanamkh22) September 23, 2025
Conflicting Narratives Emerge
Journalist Hassan Ayub posted a picture of Falak Javed in custody shortly after the arrest. He later claimed she had been using social media platforms to run “illegal activities” and spread “false allegations against government officials and state institutions.” Authorities have not issued a formal statement about her whereabouts or condition.
فَلَک جاوید نے PECA ایکٹ کی خلاف ورزی کرتے ہوئے سوشل میڈیا کو غیر قانونی سرگرمیوں کے لیے استعمال کیا اور حکومتی شخصیات اور ریاستی اداروں کے خلاف جھوٹے الزامات لگائے۔
پولیس تفتیش جاری ہے تاکہ حقائق سامنے آئیں۔ قانون سب کے لیے برابر ہے اور انہیں اپنے اعمال کا جواب دینا ہوگا۔ pic.twitter.com/yY1ZPI0eOH— Hassan Ayub Khan (@HassanAyub82) September 23, 2025
Sanam Javed, however, insisted that her sister has effectively “gone missing” since being taken into custody. “Her life is in serious danger,” she wrote on social media, urging Pakistanis to raise their voices for her release.
Charges Under PECA
Falak Javed faces accusations of spreading derogatory material against state institutions and leading online campaigns that authorities say violated cybercrime laws. According to police sources, multiple cases have been registered under PECA, though details of the charges have not been made public.
PAKISTAN: “The latest amendment to the draconian Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) by the National Assembly will further tighten the government’s grip over Pakistan’s heavily controlled digital landscape, if passed by both houses of Parliament.”
Read more:…
— Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office (@amnestysasia) January 24, 2025
Introduced in 2016, PECA was originally designed to address cybercrimes, but rights groups say it has increasingly been used to silence dissent. The law has been tightened through amendments passed earlier this year, allowing the state greater power to regulate online content and prosecute individuals accused of disinformation.
Broader Crackdown on Free Expression
Falak Javed’s arrest highlights growing concerns over freedom of speech in Pakistan. The recent amendments to PECA have been widely criticized by journalist unions and civil society groups, who argue that they are “draconian” and allow authorities to target political opponents, activists, and reporters.
Dozens of journalists, including Waheed Murad and Ahmad Noorani, as well as PTI supporters, have been booked under the law in recent months. Human rights organizations say the pattern of arrests illustrates how cybercrime legislation is being weaponized against dissent.
Political and Human Rights Dimensions
The case is politically sensitive given Falak’s family ties and her vocal support for Imran Khan. For PTI, it reinforces claims that the government is systematically targeting its supporters, both on the streets and online.
Meanwhile, critics argue that the crackdown reflects a long-standing trend of successive governments curbing media freedom and using legal instruments to stifle political opposition.
Awaiting Official Response
As of Wednesday evening, neither Islamabad police nor federal authorities had issued a detailed statement about Falak Javed’s detention. PTI has demanded her immediate release, while rights groups continue to press for transparency on her case.
The incident underscores the growing tension between Pakistan’s ruling authorities and digital activists, as the state tightens its grip on online spaces in the name of combating “disinformation.”