A tense legal drama unfolded in Pakistan this week as popular TikTok personalities Rajab Butt and Nadeem Mubarak, known as Nadeem Naniwala, secured temporary release from custody. The pair faced allegations of promoting an illegal online gambling application, sparking a wider crackdown on such activity within the country.
The Lahore court, presided over by Additional Sessions Judge Mansoor Ali Qureshi, granted interim bail to both men until January 6th. This reprieve comes with strict conditions: they must fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation and are prohibited from leaving the country during the bail period.
Their legal representation, Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq, filed the petitions, navigating a complex legal landscape. Separate cases were registered against Mubarak by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), highlighting the seriousness with which authorities are treating these allegations.
The NCCIA alleges that both TikTokers actively promoted the gambling application to their substantial online followings. This case arrives amidst a growing national effort to curb the proliferation of online gambling and protect citizens from its potential harms.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Earlier this year, prominent YouTuber Saad ur Rehman, widely known as Ducky Bhai, faced similar accusations and was subsequently jailed. His case has become a focal point in the debate surrounding online gambling and influencer responsibility.
Ducky Bhai’s legal battle continues, with the Lahore High Court recently extending the deadline for the NCCIA to submit a report regarding his petition for the return of his seized assets – including social media accounts, ATM cards, and credit cards. The charges against him extend beyond promotion, alleging the misappropriation of funds collected from investors.
Authorities claim Ducky Bhai initially refused to cooperate with the investigation, leading to his inclusion on the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL) and his eventual arrest at Allama Iqbal International Airport as he attempted to leave the country. His subsequent account of his detention, shared in a recent vlog, detailed alleged mistreatment and the hardship faced by his family.
Ducky Bhai described the abrupt disruption to his life, beginning after a family gathering on August 16th, just before a planned international trip. Despite the ordeal, he expressed a commitment to pursuing his legal defense and accepting the court’s final judgment, signaling a willingness to face the consequences.
The cases of Butt, Mubarak, and Ducky Bhai represent a significant escalation in Pakistan’s efforts to regulate online gambling and hold influencers accountable for their endorsements. The outcomes of these legal battles will undoubtedly shape the future of digital marketing and online financial activity within the nation.
