Detained journalist Asad Toor critically ill after 36-hour hunger strike: Lawyers

Vlogger and journalist Asad Toor has been on a hunger strike for 36 hours. His health is reportedly deteriorating while he remains detained by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on allegations of running a smear campaign against the superior judiciary and other institutions on social media.

Lawyer Hadi Chatta briefed the media on Thursday about Toor's health and said that FIA also called rescue personnel after Toor fell sick last night.

Toor's counsel added that his mother was finally allowed to meet him at the FIA office after court orders.

During his address to the media, Hadi clarified that the FIA is not investigating Asad Toor about the anti-judiciary campaign, but rather about his vlogs concerning other individuals.

Toor's other lawyer, Imaan Mazari, further stated that “He is being pressurised to reveal his sources and social media accounts passwords. Asad Toor is denying to share his journalistic sources.”

The FIA presented Asad Toor before Judicial Magistrate Islamabad Muhammad Shabbir, who sent Asad Toor on five day physical remand on Tuesday and directed officials to produce him on March 3. 

Toor informed the magistrate that, being a journalist, he couldn't hand over his mobile phone. He highlighted his prior appearances before the FIA, while his lawyers confirmed that the journalist received the FIA notice in hand on February 24.

Toor said that he had taken the issue to the high court in response to the call-up notice. On February 26, he visited the FIA office with the high court's order, seeking information about the FIR and the charges made against him.

The FIR against Toor alleges that he is involved in malicious campaign against the judiciary on 'X'and YouTube. It further states that he contributed to anti-state activities through social media, leading to his arrest under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016.